Aromatherapy
is endorsed by some as an alternative medical treatment, but the results of one study
failed to demonstrate that aromatherapy improves immune status, wound healing, or pain
control, according to a March 3, 2008, news release from The Ohio State University,
Columbus. Researchers monitored the effects of Lemon and Lavender aromatherapy treatments
on 56 volunteers' blood pressure, heart rate, blood biochemistry, healing ability,
reaction to pain, and results of psychological testing of mood and stress. Blood samples
were analyzed to measure the effects of aromatherapy on immune and stress responses.

Aromatherapy
treatment using Lemon or Lavender essential oils did not demonstrate a positive effect on
biochemical markers for stress, pain control, or wound healing. Lemon oil did appear to
enhance participants' mood, but lavender showed no measurable effect on mood or health.

Aromotherapy
may make you feel good, but it won't make you well [news release]. Columbus, OH: The Ohio
State University; March 3, 2008. http://reseorchnews.osu.edu/archive/aromathe.htm.
Accessed March 10, 2008.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) currently is one of
the most commonly used forms of electroanalgesia. Hundreds of clinical reports exist
concerning the use of TENS for various types of conditions, such as low back pain (LBP),
myofascial and arthritic pain, sympathetically mediated pain, bladder incontinence,
neurogenic pain, visceral pain, and postsurgical pain. Because many of these studies were
uncontrolled, there has been ongoing debate about the degree to which TENS is more
effective than placebo in reducing pain.

The currently proposed mechanisms by which TENS produces
neuromodulation include the following:

The results of laboratory studies suggest that electrical stimulation delivered by
a TENS unit reduces pain through nociceptive inhibition at the presynaptic level in the
dorsal horn, thus limiting its central transmission. The electrical stimuli on the skin
preferentially activate low-threshold, myelinated nerve fibers. The afferent input from
these fibers inhibits propagation of nociception carried in the small, unmyelinated C
fibers by blocking transmission along these fibers to the target or T cells located in the
substantia gelatinosa (laminae 2 and 3) of the dorsal horn.

Studies show marked increases in beta endorphin and met-enkephalin with
low-frequency TENS, with demonstrated reversal of the antinociceptive effects by
naloxone.6 These effects have been postulated to be mediated through micro-opioid
receptors. Research indicates, however, that high-frequency TENS
analgesia is not reversed by naloxone, implicating a naloxone-resistant,
dynorphin-binding receptor. A sample of cerebral spinal fluid in those subjects
demonstrated increased levels of dynorphin A.

The mechanism of the analgesia produced by TENS is explained by the gate-control theory
proposed by Melzack and Wall in 1965.7 The gate usually is closed, inhibiting constant
nociceptive transmission via C fibers from the periphery to the T cell. When painful
peripheral stimulation occurs, however, the information carried by C fibers reaches the T
cells and opens the gate, allowing pain transmission centrally to the thalamus and cortex,
where it is interpreted as pain. The gate-control theory postulates a mechanism by which
the gate is closed again, preventing further central transmission of the nociceptive
information to the cortex. The proposed mechanism for closing the gate is inhibition of
the C-fiber nociception by impulses in activated myelinated fibers.

Technical Considerations

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit consists of 1 or
more electrical-signal generators, a battery, and a set of electrodes. The TENS
unit is small and programmable, and the generators can deliver trains of stimuli with
variable current strengths, pulse rates, and pulse widths. The preferred waveform is
biphasic, to avoid the electrolytic and iontophoretic effects of a unidirectional current.
The usual settings for the stimulus parameters used clinically are the following:

Amplitude - Current at a comfortable,
low intensity level, just above threshold

Pulse width (duration) - 10-1000
microseconds

Pulse rate (frequency) - 80-100
impulses per second (Hz); 0.5-10 Hz when the stimulus intensity is set high

When TENS is used analgesically, patients are instructed to try different
frequencies and intensities to find those that provide them with the best pain control.
Optimal settings of stimulus parameters are subjective and are determined by trial and
error. Electrode positioning is quite important. Usually, the electrodes are initially
placed on the skin over the painful area, but other locations (eg, over cutaneous nerves,
trigger points, acupuncture sites) may give comparable or even better pain relief.

The 3 options for the standard settings used in different therapeutic methods of
TENS application include the following:

Conventional TENS has a high
stimulation frequency (40-150 Hz) and low intensity, just above threshold, with the
current set between 10-30 mA. The pulse duration is short (up to 50 microseconds). The
onset of analgesia with this setup is virtually immediate. Pain relief lasts while the
stimulus is turned on, but it usually abates when the stimulation stops. Patients
customarily apply the electrodes and leave them in place all day, turning the stimulus on
for approximately 30-minute intervals throughout the day. In individuals who respond well,
analgesia persists for a variable time after the stimulation stops.

In acupuncturelike settings, the TENS
unit delivers low frequency stimulus trains at 1-10 Hz, at a high stimulus intensity,
close to the tolerance limit of the patient. Although this method sometimes may be more
effective than conventional TENS, it is uncomfortable, and not many patients can tolerate
it. This method often is considered for patients who do not respond to conventional TENS.

Pulsed (burst) TENS uses low-intensity
stimuli firing in high-frequency bursts. The recurrent bursts discharge at 1-2 Hz, and the
frequency of impulses within each burst is at 100 Hz. No particular advantage has been
established for the pulsed method over the conventional TENS method.

Patient comfort is a very important determinant of compliance and, consequently, of
the overall success of treatment. The intensity of the impulse is a function of pulse
duration and amplitude. Greater pulse widths tend to be more painful. The acupuncturelike
method is less tolerable, because the impulse intensity is higher.

The amount of output current depends on the combined impedance of the electrodes,
skin, and tissues. With repetitive electrical stimuli applied to the same location on the
skin, the skin impedance is reduced, which could result in greater current flow as
stimulation continues. A constant current stimulator, therefore, is preferred in order to
minimize sudden, uncontrolled fluctuations of current intensity related to changes in
impedance. An electroconductive gel applied between the electrode and skin serves to
minimize the skin impedance.

Medical complications arising from use of TENS are rare. However, skin irritation can
occur in as many as 33% of patients, due, at least in part, to drying out of the
electrode gel. Patients need to be instructed in the use and care of TENS equipment, with
particular attention to the electrodes.

In some cases, individuals react to the tape used to secure the electrodes.
Skin irritation is minimized by using disposable, self-adhesive electrodes and
repositioning them slightly for repeated applications. The use of TENS is contraindicated
in patients with a demand-type pacemaker, because the stimulus output of the TENS
unit may drive or inhibit the pacemaker.

A variety of newer transcutaneous or percutaneous electrical stimulation modalities
have emerged. They include the following:

Interferential current therapy (IFC) is
based on summation of 2 alternating current signals of slightly different frequency. The
resultant current consists of a cyclical modulation of amplitude, based on the difference
in frequency between the 2 signals. When the signals are in phase, they summate to an
amplitude sufficient to stimulate, but no stimulation occurs when they are out of phase.
The beat frequency of IFC is equal to the difference in the frequencies of the 2 signals.
For example, the beat frequency and, hence, the stimulation rate of a dual channel IFC
unit with signals set at 4200 and 4100 Hz is 100 Hz.

IFC therapy can deliver higher currents
than TENS can. IFC can use 2, 4, or 6 applicators, arranged in either the same plane, for
use on such regions as the back, or in different planes in complex regions (eg, the
shoulder).

Percutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (PENS) combines advantages of electroacupuncture and TENS. Rather than
using surface electrodes, PENS uses acupuncturelike needle probes as electrodes, with
these placed at dermatomal levels corresponding to local pathology. The main advantage of
PENS over TENS is that it bypasses local skin resistance and delivers electrical stimuli
at the precisely desired level in close proximity to the nerve endings located in soft
tissue, muscle, or periosteum.

Applications of Tens in Clinical Practice

Literature on the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS) in a variety of medical conditions reports a wide range of outcomes, from very
positive to negative. Currently, there is an overall consensus favoring the use of TENS,
with authorities differing on its value in different clinical situations. Generally, TENS
provides initial relief of pain in 70-80% of patients, but the success rate decreases
after a few months or longer to around 20-30%. To exclude a false-negative response, a
trial of TENS for at least 1 hour should be given to confirm potential benefit from
subsequent continuous use.

According to Johnson, the time from the start of stimulation to the onset of
analgesia varies from almost immediate to hours (on average, 20-30 minutes in over 75% of
patients and 1 hour in 95% of patients).8 The duration of analgesia also varies
considerably, continuing only for the duration of stimulation in some patients and
providing considerable, prolonged poststimulation relief in others. The same TENS protocol
may have different degrees of antinociception in acute experimental pain compared with
chronic clinical pain in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

Patients differ in their stimulus preferences and in their rates of compliance. In
Johnson's study of compliance in patients who benefited from TENS, 75% used the device on
a daily basis. Patients showed individual preferences for particular pulse frequencies and
patterns, and they consistently adjusted their stimulators to these settings in
subsequent treatment sessions.

Musculoskeletal pain - Examples of
specific diagnoses include joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, acute
postoperative pain (eg, postthoracotomy), and acute posttraumatic pain.10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16 After surgery, TENS is most effective for mild to moderate levels of pain, and it
is ineffective for severe pain. The use of TENS in chronic LBP and myofascial pain is
controversial, with placebo-controlled studies failing to show statistically
significant beneficial results. Uncertainty also exists about the value of TENS in tension
headache.

Visceral pain and dysmenorrhea - TENS
has been successfully applied to these conditions as well.17

Other disorders - TENS has been
used successfully in patients with angina pectoris and urge incontinence, as well as in
patients requiring dental anesthesia.18, 19 Reports discuss the use of TENS to assist
patients in regaining motor function following stroke, to control nausea in
patients undergoing chemotherapy, as an opioid -sparing modality in postoperative
recovery, and in postfracture pain.

Contraindications for the use of TENS

TENS should not be used in patients
with a pacemaker (especially of the demand type).

TENS should not be used during
pregnancy, because it may induce premature labor.

TENS should not be applied over the
carotid sinuses due to the risk of acute hypotension through a vasovagal reflex.

TENS should not be placed over the
anterior neck, because laryngospasm due to laryngeal muscle contraction may occur.

The electrodes should not be placed in
an area of sensory impairment (eg, in cases of nerve lesions, neuropathies), where the
possibility of burns exists.

A TENS unit should be used cautiously
in patients with a spinal cord stimulator or an intrathecal pump.

Comparison Between Tens and Other Electrical Modalities

A number of studies have compared transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS) with similar therapeutic modalities, including percutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (PENS), interferential current therapy (IFC), and acupuncture.17, 27 The
results included the following:

In one study of elderly patients with
chronic low back pain (LBP), acupuncture and TENS had demonstrable benefits, with the
acupuncture group demonstrating improvement in spinal flexion.

In patients with chronic LBP and
sciatica, PENS was more effective than TENS in providing short-term pain relief and
improved function, including an improved quality of sleep and sense of well-being.

Overall, 91% and 73% of patients,
respectively, chose PENS as the preferred modality for pain relief in LBP and sciatica.

PENS has been used successfully for
pain relief in patients with acute herpes zoster and in persons suffering from cancer with
bony metastases.

IFC and TENS had a statistically
significant effect on the median nerve excitation threshold in young women.Table of Topics

ScienceDaily
(May 14, 2008)  Ancient acupuncture and modern myofascial pain therapy each focus on
hundreds of similar points on the body to treat pain, although they do it differently,
says a physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville who analyzed the two techniques.

Results
of the study, published May 10 in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
suggest that people who want relief from chronic musculoskeletal pain may benefit from
either therapy, says chronic pain specialist Dr. Peter Dorsher of the Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic.

This
may come as a surprise to those who perform the two different techniques, because the
notion has been that these are exclusive therapies separated by thousands of years,
he says. But this study shows that in the treatment of pain disorders, acupuncture
and myofascial techniques are fundamentally similar  and this is good news for
anyone looking for relief.

Classic
Chinese acupuncture treats pain and a variety of health disorders using fine needles to
reset nerve transmission, Dorsher says. Needles are inserted in one or several
of 361 classical acupoints to target specific organs or pain problems. This is a
very safe and effective technique, he says.

Myofascial
trigger-point therapy, which has evolved since the mid-1800s, focuses on tender muscle or
trigger point regions. There are about 255 such regions described by the
Trigger Point Manual, the seminal textbook on myofascial pain. These are believed to be
sensitive and painful areas of muscle and fascia, the web of soft tissue that surrounds
muscle, bones, organs and other body structures. To relieve pain at these trigger points,
practitioners use injections, deep pressure, massage, mechanical vibration, electrical
stimulation and stretching, among other techniques.

In
the study, Dorsher analyzed studies published on both techniques and demonstrated that
acupuncture points and trigger points are anatomically and clinically similar in their
uses for treatment of pain disorders.

In
another recent study, he found that at least 92 percent of common trigger points
anatomically corresponded with acupoints, and that their clinical correspondence in
treating pain was more than 95 percent. That means that the classical acupoint was
in the same body region as the trigger point, was used for the same type of pain problem,
and the trigger point referred pain pattern followed the meridian pathway of that acupoint
described by the Chinese more than 2,000 years before, Dorsher says. Myofascial pain
therapy has lately incorporated the use of acupuncture needles in a treatment called
dry needling to treat muscle trigger points.

I
think it is fair to say that the myofascial pain tradition represents an independent
rediscovery of the healing principles of traditional Chinese medicine, Dorsher says.
What likely unites these two disciplines is the nervous system, which transmits
pain.

Basically,
cupping involves heating the air inside a glass cup, which removes some of the air from
the cup. The cup is then quickly placed on the skin and the resulting vacuum pulls the
skin part of the way into the cup. The cup may be left in place for several minutes and
then removed, leaving behind a bright red, circular welt. Although it sounds painful, it's
not.

Many
articles have been published on cupping. But many of these are case reports or anecdotes
published in Chinese medical journals  and not always available in English. There
have been no peer-reviewed clinical trials specifically evaluating cupping as a treatment
for painful conditions. Thus, although cupping has been a part of Chinese healing
traditions for at least 3,000 years, available research hasn't yet documented its
effectiveness.

AIMS:
Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic widespread pain. The benefit of medication is
often limited by its side effects, and the improvements obtained with exercise and
education are inconsistent. Many patients seek acupuncture treatment, which is reported to
be helpful in some cases. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and benefits of
acupuncture offered in the setting of a tertiary referral clinic.

METHODS: An open, uncontrolled observational study was conducted among patients who met
the usual fibromyalgia criteria and who had a pain score of at least 30 on a 100mm Visual
Analogue Scale (VAS).
Patients were allowed to continue other treatments but not to introduce new ones.
Acupuncture was given using a Western approach according to a protocol developed by
consensus. Patients were offered eight treatments in eight weeks. Outcome measures
included VAS of pain intensity and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (range 0 - 100), and
were taken before and after treatment, and at 14, 20 and 34 weeks from enrolment.

RESULTS:
Twenty four eligible patients were enrolled in a 12 month period. Baseline mean pain VAS
score for these 24 patients was 74 (SD 18) and mean Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
score 78 (SD 12.4).
Only 14 patients completed the course of treatment within about 10 weeks. Compliance was
poor in the remaining patients because of difficulty attending clinic, and in two cases
because of exacerbation of pain. Completion of outcome measures was variable and therefore
the analysis of data is limited. Five patients scored at least 20% reduction in
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score which is a clinically relevant improvement. Two of
these scored at least 50%
reduction.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture appears to offer symptomatic improvement to some patients with
fibromyalgia in a tertiary clinic who have failed to respond to other treatments. In view
of its safety, further acupuncture research is justified in this population.

(We were given this information without an author name or copyright
attached. Deeming this important information to share withour visitors we opted to publish. If this is your work and you would like a byline
posted please contact us)

Acupuncture
involves the insertion of extremely thin needles to various depths at strategic points on
your body. Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, but over the past two
decades its popularity has grown significantly within the United States. Although
scientists don't fully understand how or why acupuncture works, some studies indicate that
it may provide a number of medical benefits  from reducing pain to helping with
chemotherapy-induced nausea.

What happens during an acupuncture treatment session?

Acupuncture
therapy usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly treatments in an outpatient
setting. It's common to have up to 12 treatments in total. Although each acupuncture
practitioner has his or her own unique style, each visit typically includes an exam and an
assessment of your current condition, the insertion of needles, and a discussion about
self-care tips. An acupuncture visit generally lasts 30 to 60 minutes.

During
acupuncture treatment, the practitioner uses sterilized, individually wrapped stainless
steel needles that are used only once and then thrown away. You may feel a brief, sharp
sensation when the needle is inserted, but generally the procedure isn't painful. It's
common to feel a deep aching sensation when the needle reaches the correct spot. After
placement, the needles are sometimes moved gently or stimulated with electricity or heat.

How does acupuncture work?

The
traditional Chinese theory behind acupuncture as medical treatment is very different from
that of Western medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, imbalances in the basic
energetic flow of life  known as qi or chi (chee)  are thought to cause
illness. Qi is believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. These meridians
and the energy flow are accessible through approximately 400 different acupuncture points.
By inserting extremely fine needles into these points in various combinations, acupuncture
practitioners believe that your energy flow will rebalance. This will allow your body's
natural healing mechanisms to take over.

In
contrast, the Western explanation of acupuncture incorporates modern concepts of
neuroscience. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers are studying at
least three possible explanations for how acupuncture works:

Opioid
release. During acupuncture, endorphins that are part of your body's natural pain-control
system may be released into your central nervous system  your brain and spinal cord.
This reduces pain much like taking a pain medication.

Spinal
cord stimulation. Acupuncture may stimulate the nerves in your spinal cord to release
pain-suppressing neurotransmitters. This has sometimes been called the "gate
theory."

Blood
flow changes. Acupuncture needles may increase the amount of blood flow in the area around
the needle. The increased blood flow may supply additional nutrients or remove toxic
substances, or both, promoting healing.

Who is acupuncture for?

Acupuncture
seems to be useful as a stand-alone treatment for some conditions, but it's also
increasingly being used in conjunction with more conventional Western medical treatments.
For example, doctors may combine acupuncture and drugs to control pain during and after
surgery.

Because
of the difficulty of conducting valid scientific studies of acupuncture  numerous
past studies have been proved inadequate  it's hard to create a definitive list of
the conditions for which acupuncture might be helpful. However, preliminary studies
indicate that acupuncture may offer symptomatic relief for a variety of diseases and
conditions, including low back pain, headaches, migraines and osteoarthritis. In a 2006
Mayo Clinic study, acupuncture significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia.

In
addition, research shows acupuncture can help manage postoperative dental pain and
alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It also appears to offer relief for
chronic menstrual cramps and tennis elbow.

Pros and cons

As
with most medical therapies, acupuncture has both benefits and risks. Consider the
benefits:

*
Acupuncture is safe when performed properly.

*
It has few side effects.

*
It can be useful as a complement to other treatment methods.

*
It's becoming more available in conventional medical settings.

*
It helps control certain types of pain.

*
It may be an alternative if you don't respond to or don't want to take pain medications.

Acupuncture
isn't safe if you have a bleeding disorder or if you're taking blood thinners. The most
common side effects of acupuncture are soreness, bleeding or bruising at the needle sites.
You might feel tired after a session. Rarely, a needle may break or an internal organ
might be injured. If needles are reused, infectious diseases may be accidentally
transmitted. However, these risks are low in the hands of a competent, certified
acupuncture practitioner.

How to choose an acupuncture practitioner

In
the United States, acupuncture services are offered by two types of medical professionals:

Medical
doctors. About 3,000 medical doctors use acupuncture as part of their clinical practice.
Most states require that these doctors have 200 to 300 hours of acupuncture training in
addition to their medical training.

Certified
acupuncturists. About 11,000 certified acupuncturists who aren't medical doctors practice
acupuncture in the United States. To be fully certified, these professionals complete
between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of training in one of several independently accredited
master's degree programs. They also must successfully complete board exams conducted by a
national acupuncture accreditation agency, the National Certification Commission for
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)

If
you're considering acupuncture, do the same things you would do if you were choosing a
doctor:

*
Ask people you trust for recommendations.

*
Check the practitioner's training and credentials.

*
Interview the practitioner. Ask what's involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help
your condition and how much it will cost.

*
Find out whether the expense is covered by your insurance.

Don't
be afraid to tell your doctor you're considering acupuncture. He or she may be able to
tell you about the success rate of using acupuncture for your condition or recommend an
acupuncture practitioner for you to try.

Abstract:
Massage therapy has been observed to be helpful in some patients with fibromyalgia. This
study was designed to examine the effects of massage therapy versus relaxation therapy on
sleep, substance P, and pain in fibromyalgia patients. Twenty-four adult fibromyalgia
patients were assigned randomly to a massage therapy or relaxation therapy group. They
received 30-minute treatments twice weekly for 5 weeks. Both groups showed a decrease in
anxiety and depressed mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions. However,
across the course of the study, only the massage therapy group reported an increase in the
number of sleep hours and a decrease in their sleep movements. In addition, substance P
levels decreased, and the patients' physicians assigned lower disease and pain ratings and
rated fewer tender points in the massage therapy group.

Hypnosis has long been used to treat both psychological and
medical disorders. The Ancient Egyptians and Chinese used hypnosis to relieve symptoms of
pain over two thousand years ago. Hypnosis was also used in the 1800s by medical doctors
for anesthetic purposes. Recently, hypnosis has received more attention from the medical
field; in fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has now recommended that hypnosis
be used as part of a treatment regime for chronic pain like that caused by fibromyalgia.

What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a non-invasive technique that encourages you to achieve heightened levels of
focus and sensation. People who practice hypnosis believe that there are two main
components to the mind: the conscious mind and the unconscious mind. Through relaxation
and suggestion, you are able to access your subconscious mind and stop behaviors or
thoughts that may be contributing to pain or other unpleasant symptoms.

Contrary to popular belief, though, people who are in a state
of hypnosis are not unaware of their actions and will not do anything that they have a
serious moral or ethical objection to. In fact, you do have control over your actions as
well as what you say while you are hypnotized. Moreover, you have the ability to remember
what transpired while you were hypnotized. However, in some cases, your subconscious mind
may choose to "forget" just what happened.

Types of Hypnosis
There are two main types of hypnosis techniques:

Hypnosis Performed by a Clinical Hypnotist: This type of
hypnosis is performed in-office by a licensed professional. The hypnotist will explain
what hypnosis is and how it works to reduce pain. He or she will then lead you into
hypnosis through a series of relaxation exercises. Once you are in a hypnotic state, the
hypnotist will make suggestions as to how you can change your thoughts or behavior in
order to minimize your symptoms.

Self Hypnosis: Self hypnosis is a type of hypnosis that you can
do yourself in the privacy of your own home. You can learn self hypnosis either from a
clinical hypnotist or from one of a number of books available on the subject. Self
hypnosis programs and hypnotherapy courses are also widely available. Self hypnosis
techniques can be indispensable for fibromyalgia sufferers. Self hypnosis is usually used
as a form of relaxation or meditation.

Stages of Hypnosis
There are three main stages of hypnosis. Your hypnotist will lead you into a certain stage
of hypnosis, depending upon the illness or symptom you wish to treat.

First Stage: The first stage of hypnosis is often referred to
as a superficial trance. This is the lightest stage of hypnosis, during which you are
aware of all of your surroundings. This type of trance is commonly used to help correct
addictive behaviors such as smoking. During a superficial trance, you will accept
suggestions but may not act upon them afterwards.

Second Stage: The second stage, the alpha state, is a deeper
level of hypnosis. You may notice that your breathing begins to slow down, as will your
heart rate and blood pressure, It is this stage of hypnosis that is used to control pain.

Third Stage: The third stage of hypnosis is the deepest.
Psychiatrists use this stage to access forgotten emotions, memories, and events. It is
often used to help those who have undergone severe psychological trauma.

How Does Hypnosis Work?
Researchers are not completely sure how hypnosis therapy works or why it works so well in
fibromyalgia patients. A recent study performed at the University of Iowa looked to
explain what actually happens to the brain during hypnosis. Brain scans were taken of
chronic pain sufferers in hypnotic trances and analyzed for activity changes. Researchers
found that people under hypnosis had reduced activity in pain network areas of the brain.
In particular, the area of the brain responsible for "feeling" pain had
significantly reduced activity levels. This suggests that hypnosis treatment works because
it actually has a physical effect on the brain.

Effects of Hypnosis on Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Many fibromyalgia sufferers attribute reduction in their symptoms to the power of
hypnosis. Fibromyalgia sufferers often use hypnosis as a way to limit their pain symptoms
and increase their energy and comfort level. A study conducted by the NIH showed that
fibromyalgia sufferers undergoing hypnosis reported 80% fewer pain symptoms than those who
received no hypnosis treatment. Other benefits of hypnosis include:

Craniosacral therapy is an
alternative treatment technique that is very similar to osteopathy and physical therapy.
It it a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle palpatations on your skin. It is believed
this procedure reduces pain and bolsters your immune system. It was created in the
nineteen-seventies by Dr. John Upledger, who based his treatment on theories developed in
the early nineteen-thirties by William G. Sutherland.

Sutherland and Upledger
theorized that the craniosacral system, which include the brain, spinal cord and the
surrounding fluid play a large part in your overall health. Craniosacral therapists
believe that the cerebrospinal fluid emits a measurable pulse as it rises and falls
(called the cranial rhythmic impulse), much like your heart and blood vessels. If this
pulse is upset it can cause a number of health problems, including fibromyalgia.

Therapists locate this pulse by
placing their fingers over specific areas of the body and once located, they begin to
restore a normal pulse. Using gentle palpitations on areas of your head they restore
a healthy, cranial rhythmic pulse, reducing your symptoms.

Treatments are received in
individual offices and last from forty minutes to one hour, depending on your level of
need. Unlike massage you will remain clothed and encouraged to relax as they work on your
spine, head and neck.

Ask your local clinic, hospital
or doctor for known, reputable craniosacral therapists or check with the Upledger
Institute for one near you. Table of Topics

Over
eight hundred thousand Americans were arrested for violating marijuana laws last year,
according a report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Of those arrested, 89 percent of those were charged with simple pot possession -- the
highest annual total ever recorded and nearly three times the number of citizens busted 15
years ago.

As per figures released by the Office of Applied Studies (OAS) 2006 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health less than 2 percent increase in pot users was recorded from '05 to
'06. But pot arrests jumped more than five percent. Activists and blame it all on the
zeal of enforcement officials.

The bottom line: Since 1990 over 10.4 million Americans -- predominantly young people
under age 30 -- have been busted for pot. Thousands have been disenfranchised, tens of
thousands have been unnecessarily sent to "drug treatment,"
hundreds of thousands have lost their eligibility for student aid, and perhaps an entire
generation (or two) has been alienated to believe that the police are an instrument of
their oppression rather than their protection. These are the tangible results of the
government's stepped up war on pot -- results that go beyond the FBI's record numbers, and
it's high time that politicians and the general public began taking notice.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is campaigning in a big
way supporting the right of adults to use marijuana responsibly, whether for medical
or personal purposes, it says.

All penalties, both civil and criminal, should be eliminated for responsible use. Further,
to eliminate the crime, corruption and violence associated with any "black
market," a legally regulated market should be established where consumers could buy
marijuana in a safe and secure environment.

According to the American Chronic Pain Association, one in three Americans lives in
persistent pain. Isnt it time to grant these patients legal access to a non-toxic
alternative that can help them alleviate their pain and suffering? Paul Armentano, a
senior policy analyst with the NORML asks and suggests that cannabis could be that option.

In 12 states, including New Mexico, patients now can use cannabis therapeutically under
state law. Many of these patients use cannabis for pain relief.

Investigators at San Francisco General Hospital and the University of Californias
Pain Clinical Research Center assessed the efficacy of inhaled cannabis on HIV-associated
sensory neuropathy.
Neuropathic pain, colloquially known as nerve pain, affects an estimated 1 percent of the
worlds population and is typically unresponsive to both opioids and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medications.

Researchers reported that patients who smoked low-grade cannabis three times daily
experienced, on average, a 34 percent reduction in pain. Assessing the use of cannabinoids
as analgesics has demonstrated that they also can alleviate the neuropathy associated with
multiple
sclerosis, diabetes, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Canadian health regulators just
approved the use of an oral cannabis spray for the treatment of cancer pain.

Survey data from numerous studies also indicates that medicinal pot users typically
require fewer pharmaceutical
drugs than their non-using counterparts. In June, investigators at Columbia University
reported that HIV patients who used cannabis therapeutically made fewer requests for
over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers and anti-nausea drugs, than subjects
administered a placebo.

Evidence also demonstrates that cannabis has an adequate safety profile, particularly when
compared to other pain
medications. For instance, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
such as ibuprofen and naproxen, is a leading cause of stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding,
with some reports estimating that their use contributes to more than 100,000
hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths annually in the United States.

The use of narcotic painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin)
to treat chronic pain also poses serious health risks, including death by overdose and addiction.
Recently, a federal judge in Virginia ordered OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma L.P. and three
of its executives to pay more than $634 million in fines for misleading the public about
the drugs risk of addiction.

By contrast, few users of cannabis, less than 10 percent, according to the National
Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, ever become dependent on the drug, and no human
case of fatal overdose has ever been attributed to cannabis, argues Armentano.

Sound frequency is measured in units called Hertz. Low frequency
sounds are comprised of those sound wavelengths that are between the range of 17 Hertz and
0.001 Hertz. Many animals, including elephants, whales, and giraffes, communicate with one
another using low frequency sound. Humans cannot hear most of these low frequency sounds,
because we only recognize sounds traveling at frequencies between 20 Hertz and 20,000
Hertz. However, our bodies can subconsciously receive and interpret low frequency sound
waves.

What is Low Frequency Sound Therapy?
Low frequency sound therapy operates on the premise that low frequency sound actually has
healing properties. Also known as infrasonic therapy (IST), low frequency sound is thought
to travel through the body, directly stimulating your cells. Though you cannot actually
hear these sounds, your body does receive the sound wavelengths and responds to them by
healing areas that are affected by swelling, inflammation, or chronic or acute pain.

How Do You Use Low Frequency Sound Therapy? Low frequency or
infrasonic therapy is typically delivered in a hand-held or portable device. This device
has a transducer that is very similar to that used in ultrasound technology. You simply
run this transducer over various parts of your body in order to receive the healing
benefits of the low frequency sound waves.

Low frequency sound therapy can also be delivered in specially
designed chairs that are equipped with internal speaker systems. These systems deliver low
frequency sound to your body while you are sitting in the chair. Both chair and hand-held
systems often incorporate massage therapy in order to maximize the benefits of low
frequency sound therapy.

What are the Benefits of Low Frequency Sound Therapy?
Low frequency sound therapy is thought to help relieve a variety of unpleasant physical
symptoms, including:

acute pain

chronic pain

joint pain and stiffness

muscle pain

fatigue

sleep disorders

How Does Low Frequency Sound Therapy Work?
Low frequency sound therapy is thought to be effective in reducing painful physical
ailments by stimulating cell reproduction and other bodily changes. In particular, low
frequency sound therapy is thought to increase the production of hyaluronic acid (HLA),
which helps to lubricate joints and relieves muscle and joint pain and inflammation. Low
frequency sound also stimulates cellular repair, helping to increase overall bodily health
and stamina.

How Does Low Frequency Sound Therapy Help Fibromyalgia?
Low frequency sound therapy is now being recommended for use in fibromyalgia patients. A
recent study performed by the Sound Health and Research Institute found that low frequency
sound therapy helped to reduce the widespread pain associated with fibromyalgia. It also
helped to increase overall mobility. Fibromyalgia sufferers may also find that symptoms of
fatigue, stress, and sleep disorders are reduced by using low frequency sound therapy.

The study delivered low frequency sound therapy through a portable
device to fibromyalgia sufferers on a daily basis. Upon completion of the study, 89% of
participants were reported to have experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain symptoms.
Many of these patients also experienced periods of complete symptom relief when exposed to
the low frequency sound therapy.

Costs of Low Frequency Sound Therapy
Though you can purchase your own infrasonic therapy system, these systems do tend to be
quite expensive: the average cost of a low frequency sound therapy system is about $800. Physical
therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and naturopaths often offer low frequency
sound therapy services, which can reduce the cost of this treatment significantly.

Cupping therapy has been adapted for use from a form of traditional
Chinese medicine. This type of therapy uses glass cups applied to the skin to help relieve
pain, flush out toxins, and restore healthy blood flow to the body. Using heat or a
suction pump, a vacuum is created inside of each glass cup. These cups are then placed on
various acupuncture points throughout the body and left for about ten minutes.

Types of Cupping
There are two main types of cupping:

Stationary Cupping: During stationary cupping, each glass cup is left
in one position on the skin. The glasses are not moved.

Massage Cupping: During massage cupping, the glass cups are moved
around the skin in a massage-like technique.

History of Cupping
Though cupping may sound scary at first, it has actually been around for thousands of
years. It was first used by various indigenous tribes in Africa, Asia, and South America.
These tribesmen used hollowed-out horns to remove poisons passed through insect and
snakebites. It was also used in traditional Chinese medicine to help prepare people for
surgery and to divert blood from wounds.

Throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, cupping was
commonly used to help cure common colds and chest infections. Nowadays, cupping is making
a big comeback. In the United States, it is offered by many massage therapists and
acupuncturists, with various celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, taking advantage of
this ancient technique..

The Benefits of Cupping
Whether or not you are suffering from symptoms of pain or muscle stiffness, cupping is a
great therapy. It provides numerous benefits including:

improved circulation and blood flow

toxin release

faster healing of muscles, ligaments, and tendons

It also works to reduce pain and soften stiff muscles and tissues.

Cupping Therapy for Fibromyalgia
Cupping therapy is especially beneficial for people suffering from fibromyalgia. If you
have fibromyalgia, you know how tender your muscles and joints are. Even a vigorous
massage can send your body into spasm. Cupping, however, is a non-irritating type of
treatment. It will not exacerbate your muscle pain in anyway, or compound any of your
fibromyalgia symptoms. It is especially good for:

reducing trigger points

increasing muscle flexibility and range of motion

decreasing anxiety and depression

What to Expect During A Session
At your first cupping session, you will probably notice quite a few different tools that
will be used during your treatment. These include:

glass cups

alcohol

cotton balls

candles

matches

Though these implements may worry you, rest assured, this is not a
painful treatment. You will lie down on a massage table and your therapist will first
locate areas that require treatment. Once these areas have been identified, the cupping
procedure will begin.

A candle is lit and used to light on fire a cotton ball that has been
soaked in alcohol.

This cotton ball is then held inside a glass cup, creating a vacuum.

The cotton ball is removed and the cup is placed immediately on your
skin.

You will feel a slight suction where each cup has been applied.
Typically, between four and six cups are applied during one session. These are left on the
skin for no more than 15 minutes. If you are receiving a massage cupping treatment, oil
will first be rubbed over your skin. The glass cups will then be moved over your skin to
help massage sore muscles and joints.

After the Cupping Treatment
After your cupping treatment you may notice some red marks in the form of circles on your
skin. Dont worry  this is a sign that the cupping technique has worked to
increase your circulation. You will also feel deeply relaxed and the areas that have been
treated will feel flexible and light.

Finding a Cupping Therapist
Cupping therapy is available at various different spas and holistic treatment centers
around the country. If you are interested in trying cupping, it is probably a good idea to
ask your massage therapist for a recommendation. Costs per session vary, depending upon
the skill of the therapist and the length of the treatment. A typical session can cost
anywhere between $50 and $100.

"Five
of the six products emitted one or more carcinogenic 'hazardous air pollutants,' which are
considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to have no safe exposure level." -
Anne C. Steinemann

A
University of Washington study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found
the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at
least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those
chemicals was listed on the product labels.

"I
first got interested in this topic because people were telling me that the air fresheners
in public restrooms and the scent from laundry products vented outdoors were making them
sick," said Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering
and of public affairs. "And I wanted to know, 'What's in these products that is
causing these effects?'"

She
analyzed the products to discover the chemicals' identity. "I was surprised by both
the number and the potential toxicity of the chemicals that were found," Steinemann
said. Chemicals included:

Acetone,
the active ingredient in paint thinner and nail-polish remover;

"Nearly
100 volatile organic compounds were emitted from these six products, and none were listed
on any product label. Plus, five of the six products emitted one or more carcinogenic
'hazardous air pollutants,' which are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to
have no safe exposure level," Steinemann said.

Because
manufacturers of consumer products are not required to disclose the ingredients,
Steinemann analyzed the products to discover their contents.

She
studied:

Three common air fresheners (a solid deodorizer disk, a liquid spray
and a plug-in oil)

And three laundry products (a dryer sheet, fabric softener and a
detergent),

Selecting a top seller in each category.

She
bought household items at a grocery store and asked companies for samples of industrial
products. In the laboratory, each product was placed in an isolated space at room
temperature and the surrounding air was analyzed for volatile organic compounds - small
molecules that evaporate from the product's surface into the air.

Results
showed 58 different volatile organic compounds above a concentration of 300 micrograms per
cubic meter, many of which were present in more than one of the six products. For
instance:

A plug-in air freshener contained more than 20 different volatile
organic compounds.

Of these, seven are regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal
laws.

The product label lists no ingredients, and information on the
Material Safety Data Sheet, required for workplace handling of chemicals, lists the
contents as "mixture of perfume oils."

This
study does not address links between exposure to chemicals and health effects. However,
two national surveys published by Steinemann and a colleague in 2004 and 2005 found that:

About 20 percent of the population reported adverse health effects
from air fresheners,

And about 10 percent complained of adverse effects from laundry
products vented to the outdoors.

Among asthmatics such complaints were roughly twice as common.

Manufacturers
are not required to list the ingredients used in laundry products and air fresheners.
Personal-care products and cleaners often contain similar fragrance chemicals, Steinemann
said. And although cosmetics are required by the Food and Drug Administration to list
ingredients, no law requires products of any kind to list chemicals used in fragrances.

"Fragrance
chemicals are of particular interest because of the potential for involuntary exposure, or
second-hand scents," Steinemann said.

"Be
careful if you buy products with fragrance, because you really don't know what's in
them," she added. "I'd like to see better labeling. In the meantime, I'd
recommend that instead of air fresheners people use ventilation, and with laundry
products, choose fragrance-free versions."

The
European Union recently enacted legislation requiring products to list 26 fragrance
chemicals when they are present above a certain concentration in cosmetic products and
detergents. No similar laws exist in the United States.

"I
hope this study will raise public awareness, and reduce exposures to potentially hazardous
chemicals," said Steinemann.

Note:
This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not meant to
prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important
that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without
researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.

Chelation
with EDTA has been used to treat heavy metal poisoning such as lead. For this use, there
is a low occurrence of side effects. The safety of EDTA for treating heart disease has not
been established.

The
most common side effect is a burning sensation at the site where the EDTA is delivered
into the vein. Rare side effects can include fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Even
more rare are serious side effects that can include a sudden drop in blood pressure,
abnormally low calcium levels in the blood, permanent kidney damage, and bone marrow
depression (meaning that blood cell counts fall). Reversible injury to the kidneys,
although infrequent, has been reported with EDTA chelation therapy. Other serious side
effects can occur if EDTA is not administered by a trained health professional.

In
addition, because chelation therapy removes important vitamins and minerals from the body,
it will be very important for you to take the vitamin supplements

A
Comparative Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in the Refractive IBS Patient vs. the Newly
Diagnosed

The
successful use of clinical hypnotherapy (CHT) for the treatment of patients with irritable
bowel syndrome has been established in at least 14 published studies (1) (2) where it has
been shown to produce significant reduction in the cardinal IBS symptoms and associated
symptoms such as anxiety. The success of this treatment method in the clinical setting is
contingent upon the protocol being gut-directed or gut-specific, i.e. directly addressing
the digestive tract, balancing the dismotility and restoring its proper function while
allowing the patient to take part in their own healing. Sufferers who consider
hypnotherapy currently tend to do so as a 'last resort' rather than a first approach after
diagnosis.

In
treating IBS patients since 1991, I recognised a consistent trend in therapy outcomes and
decided to investigate this further with an informal observational study. From September
2003 to January 2005, I assigned 40 patients with the same primary IBS diagnostic criteria
into two groups.

The
first group consisted of 20 IBS patients of long-standing, termed as refractory where no
previous medical interventions provided relief. Age ranges for this group was
27 years to 66 years; average age was 42.2 years; comprised of 10 males average age 38.7
years, 10 females average age 45.6 years.

The
second group included 20 newly diagnosed IBS patients with ages ranging from (24 years) to
(64 years); average age (40.1 years), there were (10) males average age 40.2 years and
(10) females average age 40.1years.

The
newly diagnosed patients had no prior IBS treatment intervention upon their arrival to me,
however, they may have presented with symptoms for varying degrees of time.

The
clinical protocol (3) consisted of an initial intake consultation session, where the IBS
patient discusses symptoms and concerns.

A
life-style, QOL and symptom questionnaire was also completed at this time, and again upon
therapy completion to assess improvement rating.

The
intake session was followed by an introductory session, where the patient was apprised of
the method of CHT and assurances were given. Following that, five gut-specific sessions
were presented to the patient dealing with:
1) Building a foundation of self-esteem, relaxation and familiarity with the
technique,
2) IBS and related symptoms, balancing of the digestive motility, the brain-gut
connection,
3) pain, discomfort, bloating issues,
4) assurance that the patient always has control over their own healing and
5) reinforcement of previous sessions and resolution.

Standard
treatment would allow for patients being seen five times over a 12 - 14 week period and
all participants received a recording of each session which was listened to according to a
specific schedule.

Psychological
State and QOL of IBS Patient Prior to receiving CHT.

The
intake information of the Refractory IBS Patient presented with two findings:

1.
Higher Failure Expectation after years of frustration and unsuccessful treatment
resolution.
2. Patients presented with more co-morbid emotional, psychological and physical
symptomology and poor QOL, in addition to "basic" IBS symptoms. (4) This finding
led me to believe that in many cases, if IBS is not initially treated on the psychological
level, the condition usually escalates into a multi-faceted condition.

The
intake information for the Newly Diagnosed presented with two findings:

1.
Less expectation for either failure or success for therapy outcome.
2. General absence of comorbid psychological, emotional and additional physical
symptomology.

Outcome
of CHT treatment
Improvement levels for both patient groups were within the same symptom reduction range
 with an average of 90% symptom reduction overall for 20 IBS and related symptoms
listed.

However,
refractory IBS patients who had received other forms of treatment first, had a longer
recovery and symptom reduction time frame. It was found that for these patients, the time
required to move forward to the next session became extended by an average of 1 to 3 weeks
(or more in some cases) depending upon severity and longevity of symptoms and the
resultant psychological issues. This group's confidence and self esteem was very low, and
their ability to see things in perspective was significantly reduced. When talking about
the psychological elements most of these patients wept. After sometimes years of pain and
discomfort, and the following of unsuccessful treatment options it was clear this group of
sufferers had become emotionally drained. Having presented with, for example, such
symptoms as diarrhoea, 3 or more times a day, often uncontrollable and explosive for
years, it was therefore not surprising that such patients presented with anxiety or
various levels of depression.

Before
these sufferers could even begin to work through the IBS, the hypnotherapy sessions first
provided a strong emotional base that increased self-esteem, confidence, and allowed the
sufferer to begin a journey of self improvement and management, and thereby equip
themselves emotionally to move away from the symptoms and the familiarity of IBS thoughts
and commence recovery initially at the emotional level.

The
newly diagnosed group who received CHT as a first line of treatment showed a much quicker
response towards their improvement in IBS symptoms, and did not require extensions in the
standard protocol time frame.

It
was my observation that early intervention with CHT may reduce or eliminate the
multi-faceted component of IBS, thus leading to earlier/less prolonged symptom reduction.
My findings appeared to confirm this trend that was observed early on. Since the
subconscious mind does not have to deal with non-present comorbid complaints with the
majority of newly diagnosed patients, the IBS symptoms are dealt with initially and
directly and resolved more quickly. For the refractory patient, internal and emotional
energies relegated to coping with the long-standing burden of IBS usually must first be
dealt with by the subconscious before IBS issues can be addressed.

Implications
and Conclusion
A negative aspect in all this is that in determining if CHT for IBS should be considered
as a first line of treatment, it should be noted if the patient may have underlying
"true" clinical psychological conditions that may become masked by the IBS
related issues, and which will still need to be addressed directly. As assessment
tools, the QOL intake session may provide an insight to this, as a pattern for onset of
symptoms and onset of emotional trends may be correlated: simply put  the co-morbid
psychological condition may be secondary to the ongoing, long-standing IBS. Another
potential negative perspective is the availability of a trained clinical hypnotherapist
whom the physician may refer the newly diagnosed patient to at the outset of diagnosis
when indicated. However, for the primary IBS patient, this observation is promising.

This
bears out a real look at providing CHT concurrently as a complementary therapy as a first
line of treatment upon initial IBS diagnosis, and may prove to be a good defense in
treating the whole person as the method has shown to improve the IBS symptom reduction
rate, and may curtail or even eliminate possible further decline in QOL and psychological
issues. (4)

So
what does this tell us?
Further studies using clinical hypnotherapy initially alongside traditional medical
interventions (medication) may prove helpful in considering the holistic nature of the
condition and its optimal treatment. Can the experiences of the refractory IBS
patient who may endure the emotional burdens of hopelessness, (5) treatment resolution
frustration, elevated stress and anxiety levels secondary to IBS, negativity, reduced QOL,
and other multiple areas of suffering be alleviated or even eliminated if a psychological
approach such as CHT be administered in conjunction with conventional treatment
recommendations upon the initial diagnosis of IBS? It is the finding of this practice that
this can be achieved when hypnotherapy is delivered professionally, however further
investigation should be encouraged.

3.
In 1996 Mahoney was invited to participate in a medical research study funded by the UK
National Health Service which was monitored and audited by the local Health Authority
Audit Commission. Medical centre GPs and hospital gastroenterologists screened 20
IBS patients: all were long-term sufferers, had undergone all medical diagnostic tests,
and had taken prescription medications without attaining significant relief from their
symptoms. Each patient underwent Mahoney's original protocol of the introductory and five
subsequent hypnotherapy sessions. At the end of the project, feedback sheets from
the patients indicated an overall reduction of 80% in symptom severity and frequency of
presentation. In 1997, Mahoney developed new processes for IBS clinical
protocol. Patients were monitored using audio tapes both during the program and for the
next three subsequent years: 1998 through 2001. The final results of this study are
intended for independent publication so that they may be subject to peer review and
analysis. Success rates were close to or exceeding 90% for all symptoms and patients.

Michael
Mahoney is a member of various primay care societies, the Hypnotherapy Association, The
British Council of Hypnotist Examiners, as well as the International Foundation for
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, the European Association for Cancer Education and
the International Functional Brain-Gut Research Group.
Serves patients through NHS, non-NHS and BUPA
He has research and patient trials experience showing success rates of 85% - 95% IBS
symptom reduction using his Ongoing Progressive Session Induction Method (OPSIM).
In 2005 he was awarded the Innovation and Research award for his work with IBS
patients. In 2003 he was named first in the Independent on Sunday Top Brass
Section of leading hypnotherapists in the UK.
His hypnotherapy practice sponsored the UKs first IBS Awareness evening at Liverpool
University in 1997

Alternative
treatments such as acupuncture, dietary supplements, and herbs don't always get the
official scientific nod, but some patients turn to them for help with irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS).

Acupuncture for IBS

Acupuncture
is a popular alternative therapy for IBS and other conditions. It's proven effective for
treating chronic pain, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). However, the studies are mixed on whether the treatments really work for IBS.

Some
studies show that acupuncture helps with abdominal pain and other IBS
symptoms. Other studies show that it doesn't help.

Philip
Schoenfeld, MD, MSEd, MSc, investigated various IBS treatments when he co-authored the
treatment guidelines published by the American College of Gastroenterology. He says the
hard data showing acupuncture's effectiveness isn't very good. Yet "that does not
mean that acupuncture might not be helpful," he says. Many individuals say they feel
better after acupuncture. Out of all alternative options, he suspects that acupuncture may
help some people with IBS.

It
is not entirely clear how this traditional Chinese treatment works. Some researchers
believe the acupuncture needles stimulate electromagnetic signals in the body. These
signals are thought to either encourage the release of pain-killing chemicals, or nudge
the body's natural healing systems into action.

Acupuncture
is ideally used with other treatments, says Jeanine Blackman, MD, PhD, medical director of
the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine. She says even in China, the
therapy is never used on its own. Talk with your doctor if you are considering
acupuncture.

Oils and Supplements for IBS

To
help her IBS patients, Blackman recommends a combination of treatments, including changes
in diet, stress
reduction, and supplements such as evening primrose oil, borage oil, fish oil, or
probiotics. She says the oil supplements help calm down the gut, and probiotics restore
the good balance of bacteria in the digestive system.

Evening
primrose oil comes from the seed of a small yellow wildflower, and borage oil comes from
the seed of a common weed. Both supplements are similar in nature. Some proponents say
evening primrose oil can help improve IBS symptoms, especially in women who experience a
worsening of pain, discomfort, and bloating during their menstrual period. But claims
about evening primrose oil are largely unproven, reports the University of California at
Berkeley Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements. Plus, side effects reportedly include
stomach upset, headaches, and rashes.

Fish
oil supplements have been examined along with fish for a number of benefits, including
preventing heart disease and easing autoimmune disorders. There doesn't appear to be any
scientific proof, however, that they work for IBS.

Herbs for IBS

Herbs
are also popular options for people with IBS. Peppermint is used to calm muscles in the
colon, which may cause some of the diarrhea and abdominal discomfort suffered by people
with IBS. Studies have been mixed with this herb. The Mayo Clinic advises anyone who'd
like to try it to get the enteric-coated capsules, and to be aware that it may make
heartburn worse.

Registered
herbalists never use peppermint on its own, nor do they recommend it for an extended
period of time, says Jonathan Gilbert, who has a diplomate in herbology and acupuncture
from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
He is a senior consultant for traditional oriental medicine at the Center for Integrative
Medicine at the University of Maryland.

For
people who are interested in true herbal therapy, Gilbert recommends a visit to an
herbalist who has comprehensive training and is certified by the NCCAOM.

"In
order to get a solution to a complex disorder, you need a complex formula, and in order to
get that, you need to see someone who can actually prepare it," says Gilbert, noting
he could combine up to 30 to 40 herbs for one formula. He says classic Chinese medicine
has thousands of preset formulas for different ailments.

A
lot of these formulas can't be bought on store shelves, adds Gilbert.

If
you are interested in herbal therapy, dietary supplements, acupuncture, or any other
treatment for your IBS, make sure you talk with your doctor. Herbs may interact with other
medications you may be taking. Dietary supplements may become toxic if not used properly.
Your doctor can also advise you on medicines
for IBS with constipation and IBS
with diarrhea.

Probiotics for IBS

On
the other hand, there's some evidence that taking probiotics help IBS sufferers.
Probiotics are bacteria that naturally live in the gut. Some people believe that several
intestinal disorders may arise when there isn't enough good bacteria in the gut.

One
study found that probiotic treatment significantly improved IBS symptoms and quality of
life. In the study, researchers primarily used the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus and
Bifidobacteria infantis. People with IBS reported fewer symptoms and, in general, a higher
quality of life after taking the probiotics for four weeks.

Just
as significant, the probiotic therapy did not appear to cause side effects, according to
the study's author, Stephen M. Faber, MD, from Albemarle Gastroenterology Associates, PC,
in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

"These
are organisms that are supposed to be in the gut. The body knows how to control
them," Farber told WebMD.

Therapy and Hypnosis for IBS

Researchers
have found that focusing the mind with hypnotherapy can improve the emotional and physical
symptoms in those with IBS.

In
one study, 20 men and 55 women received between five and seven half-hour hypnotherapy
sessions over a three-month period. Afterwards, patients reported a 30% improvement in
emotional quality of life and a 16% increase in overall physical health.

Two
other studies conducted by one researcher included 135 people with IBS. The study
participants who received 12 weekly one-hour hypnotherapy sessions focusing on their
troubles with IBS showed a 52% improvement in their physical symptoms. Improvements were
also maintained when researchers checked in with participants six months after the end of
the study.

Cognitive
behavior therapy (CBT) trains people to identify and change inaccurate perceptions they
may have of themselves and the world around them. It's also been used to help IBS patients
ease symptoms and improve quality of life.

Researchers
gave a group of IBS patients up to 10 weekly sessions of CBT in one study. The sessions
covered information on IBS, muscle relaxation training, development of a flexible set of
problem-solving skills related to IBS, and ways to curb worries about the illness. Results
showed that 60% to 75% of participants had improvement in their symptoms.

Chelation
therapy is based on the concept that when an amino acid complex known as EDTA
(ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) comes into contact with positively charged metals and
other substances, it will bind these toxins and remove them from the body. When EDTA binds
to toxins, a stable compound will be formed that will then be excreted from the system.

While
synthetic amino acids are used in chelation therapy, the process actually takes place
naturally in our bodies. For instance, during digestion amino acids will naturally bind to
minerals such as iron in order to transport them to other parts of the body where they
will be released.

The
Food and Drug Administration has approved chelation therapy for the treatment of metal
toxicity such as lead poisoning. Beginning in the 1940s, the amino acid complex EDTA
(ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) was used to treat heavy metal poisoning; however,
chelation therapy has been recognized as an effective treatment for hypercalcemia and
ventricular arrhythmias as well. *Note: The
American Heart Assoc. has issued a stern warning on this therapy pending further study.

Chelation
has been used for both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, believed to be
aggravated by heavy metal toxicity. Chelation therapy can be used as a natural
fiibromyalgia treatment for its cleansing properties, as the accumulation of toxic
exposure may contribute to cellular damage and future health problems.

A
reputable practicioner will submit you to a series of examinations and medical tests
before begining treatment. They will also take a complete medical history that touches on
your diet, health, family history, medications, injuries and stress levels. X-rays and
blood work should also be expected.

EDTA
for Fibromyalgia can be administered orally or by blood infusion. Treatment may be two to
three times a week and may last up to thirty sessions. The IV drip therapy may last up to
three hours. Edta may not be the only additive to your drip, if your practicioner deems it
necessary he/she may also add vit. C, B and heparin, to prevent clotting.

After
treatment you may experience headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, fatigues or
joint pain. This is attributed to the fact that your body may be addicted to the metals
the EDTA has removed from your body, causing you to go through a period of withdrawl.

Do
NOT attempt this line of treatment without consulting with your primary care provider.

Cupping
therapy is typically practiced by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The theory
behind cupping is that it moves or stimulates your body's natural energy  also
called qi.

Basically,
cupping involves heating the air inside a glass cup, which removes some of the air from
the cup. The cup is then quickly placed on the skin and the resulting vacuum pulls the
skin part of the way into the cup. The cup may be left in place for several minutes and
then removed, leaving behind a bright red, circular welt. Although it sounds painful, it's
not.

Many
articles have been published on cupping. But many of these are case reports or anecdotes
published in Chinese medical journals  and not always available in English. There
have been no peer-reviewed clinical trials specifically evaluating cupping as a treatment
for painful conditions. Thus, although cupping has been a part of Chinese healing
traditions for at least 3,000 years, available research hasn't yet documented its
effectiveness.

There
is nothing conventional about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For some patients, this
mysterious ailment means diarrhea, while for others constipation.

Additional
symptoms include gas, bloating and stomach cramps. Traditional treatments are
understandably varied considering the inconsistency of the illness. Behavioral options
include high fiber diets, limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption, regular exercise and
some form of stress relief (yoga, meditation). Pharmaceutical treatments include the
recently approved Zelnorm, for female patients suffering from constipation, and Lotronex,
approved (on a special circumstance basis) for women suffering from diarrhea.

However,
no pharmaceutical on the market provides relief for all IBS patients. In lieu of a
chemical solution, many patients are turning to alternative methods of treatment to find
relief from their nagging symptoms.

CHINESE
MEDICINE

There
are eight branches of Chinese medicine; each emphasize balancing a person's chi, or
energy, in relation to their three realms: heaven, human and earth. These branches
include: herbal therapy, acupuncture, diet, massage, exercise, mediation, cosmology and
feng shui.1

According
to traditional Chinese medicine, IBS is the product of an infection of heat and dampness
of the gastrointestinal system. The head and dampness may be caused from external sources
(weather) or internal sources (eating improper food).2

A
study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 followed 116
patients who were suffering from IBS. Participants were divided into three treatment
groups: individualized Chinese herbal formulations, standard Chinese herbal formulations
or a placebo.

The
results of the double-blind placebo-controlled trial found patients being actively treated
saw significant improvement in their bowel condition. Herbal treatments tailored to the
patient were no more effective than the standard treatment.

Acupuncture
has long been used in Eastern cultures as a method of treating a variety of ailments.
There are some 2,000 acupuncture points where needles can reportedly stimulate and
regulate the flow of chi. Acupuncture is a method of keeping yin, the soft and feminine
qualities, in balance with yang, the dark and masculine qualities.1

Pam
Marsh, an IBS patient in Golden, Colo., turned to acupuncture after suffering for many
years.

"My
internist referred me to an acupuncturist for treatment," she says. "He had seen
good results with other patients with IBS and Crohn's symptoms."

Marsh
receives treatment in a healthcare center that offers both Eastern and Western medicine.

"The
process takes about an hour," she describes. "The acupuncturist first takes my
pulse and other readings. He sometimes checks my tongue, puts pressure on certain points,
etc. I lie on my back on a massage table and needles are applied. Usually the needles are
left in for 20 to 30 minutes. They are placed in a variety of places: toes, foot, stomach,
hands and wrist. It never hurts, but will sometimes create a burning sensation for the
first couple of seconds. Breathing deeply and slowly helps reduce the sensation.
Afterward, I feel a bit spacey for a half an hour or so. If I have symptoms or discomfort
before a session, I most likely leave feeling much better."

Marsh
says she is using this alternative treatment, along with behavioral changes, to improve
the illness she has been suffering from for 20 years.

"I
have used various medicines," she says, "but I have also made changes to my diet
and keep to a daily exercise program."

She
says while initially hesitant to trust treatment outside of the Western methodology, she
recommends the procedure to others.

"I
am a believer," she says. "I have been able to go off of the over-the-counter
and prescriptive drugs with the acupuncture treatments. I was raised with traditional
Western medicine beliefs, with my father being a pharmacist. So it was a stretch for me to
trust this Eastern medicine. I believe acupuncture can help with a variety of problems. I
recently had damage to the trigeminal nerve and have found relief through acupuncture.
Like any other medical practice, however, I think you need to search out acupuncturists
who are well-respected and recommended in the community."

OVERLAPPING
IDEAS

Although
Western and Eastern medical ideologies seem distinctly different, there are several
treatment options both trains of thought agree on. Diet, exercise and finding a method of
stress relief, possibly meditation, are three behavioral methods of treatment for IBS
urged by both ideologies.

Patients
suffering from diarrhea related to IBS may be advised to stay away from dairy products.

Additionally,
limiting alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are recommended for all patients. Drinking at
least eight glasses of water daily can also help alleviate some symptoms.

Exercise
and finding a method to relieve stress are also important behavioral changes that should
be made by IBS patients. Ideally, patients should try to exercise 60 minutes daily, per
the new Institute of Medicine guidelines.

Herbert
Benson, MD, was one of the first Western physicians to write about the health benefits of
meditation. The first article published on the topic was written by Benson in 1970 in the
Journal of Transpersonal Psychology. The Harvard researcher wrote mediation could reduce
heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption and muscle tension.5

FINDING
AN ACUPUNCTURIST

The
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has a list of
acupuncturists nationally. They also have certification information for those interested
in studying the practice.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint
oil is widely used for irritable bowel syndrome. It is thought to reduce the abdominal
pain and bloating of irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by blocking the movement of
calcium into muscle cells in the intestines and easing excessive muscle contraction there.
Peppermint is considered a carminative herb, which means that it is used to eliminate
excess gas in the intestines.

Eight
out of twelve studies on peppermint for irritable bowel syndrome have found that it is
more effective than a placebo.

Although
peppermint oil is available in many forms, it should only be used in enteric-coated
capsules otherwise the oil can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause heartburn.

Peppermint
oil, especially in excessive doses, may result in nausea, loss of appetite, heart
problems, nervous system disorders, and lead to kidney failure and even death.

Peppermint
oil should not be taken internally by children or pregnant or nursing women. Peppermint
oil may interact with the drug cyclosporine (used to prevent organ transplant rejection
and for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis), so they should not be combined unless under
medical supervision. To read more about peppermint oil, go to my Peppermint Oil
Fact Sheet1

Probiotics

Probiotics
are live microbial organisms that are naturally present in the digestive tract and vagina.
Sometimes referred to as "friendly" bacteria, probiotics are thought to promote
health include suppressing the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, improving immune
function, enhancing the protective barrier of the digestive tract, and helping to produce
vitamin K.

There
are over 400 species of microorganisms in the human digestive tract and the balance
between beneficial bacteria and potentially harmful bacteria is important. One theory is
that people with irritable bowel syndrome may have an imbalance in their normal intestinal
bacteria, with an overgrowth of gas-producing bacteria.

Studies
have found that probiotics may be helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome. For
example, a fairly large study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology
examined the use of three different doses of Bifidobacterium infantis or a placebo in 362
women with irritable bowel syndrome. After four weeks, the B. infantis dose of 1 x 10(8)
c.f.u. was found to be more effective than a placebo at reducing abdominal pain, bloating,
bowel dysfunction, incomplete evacuation, straining, and gas.

There
are many different probiotic strains, and some may be more effective for irritable bowel
syndrome. Another study compared lactobacillus salivarius, bifidobacterium infantis, or a
placebo in 77 people with irritable bowel syndrome. Only people who took B. infantis had a
greater reduction in abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel movement difficulty. For more
information on probiotics, read my Probiotics Fact
Sheet2.

Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum

Partially
hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water soluble, non-gelling fiber that may help to reduce
constipation and to a lesser extent diarrhea and abdominal pain in people with irritable
bowel syndrome. PHGG also appears to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria,
lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the intestines.

One
study compared PHGG (5 grams per day), wheat bran (30 grams per day), and a placebo in 199
people with irritable bowel syndrome. After 12 weeks, both the PHGG and wheat bran
resulted in an improvement in absominal pain and bowel habits, but the PHGG was better
tolerated and preferred.

Food Intolerances

Food
intolerances may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by triggering immune
responses in the gut, leading to low-grade inflammation and an imbalance of intestinal
bacteria.

The
most common food intolerances reported by people with irritable bowel syndrome are dairy
and grains.

A
trained practitioner can supervise an elimination and challenge diet. Many foods are
removed from the diet for a brief period of time, then re-introduced sequentially to
isolate the body's reaction to the offending foods. Since grains are a common culprit, it
is important to remember that carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and that chewing
grains thoroughly allows amylase, the digestive enzyme present in saliva, to digest the
grains.

Other Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Pancreatic
enzymes have been suggested for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms that are aggravated
after a fatty meal.

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Younger
America recently announced that Mark Cobb has been appointed to the board of directors and
will also serve as the Company's Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Cobb is a respected and
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About
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Younger
America is a holding Company that develops and acquires under-valued companies that
provide products to improve the quality of life without the use of potentially harmful
drugs or chemicals. The Company aims to acquire a portfolio of companies that provide
leading-edge alternative medical devices, systems and services. The roll-up of these
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Forward-Looking
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Please
be advised that statements made herein, other than historical data, constitute
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, potential
volatility in the company's stock price, increased competition, customer acceptance of new
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that the company's stock is not currently registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Medical
progress in the 20th century has been striking, and the advancement of the diagnosis and
treatment of cardiovascular diseases has greatly contributed toward prolonging life
expectancy. However, for patients who receive treatment for diseases, this being not
limited to cardiovascular diseases, there is no way of determining the gravity of internal
suffering and conflict. Patients accept any examination and treatment that can help them
to recover from diseases, even when it may involve pain. All surgery, radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, and transplant therapy are therapies that inflict considerable pain and long
term suffering on patients, mentally and physically. Patients still accept such therapy,
because they expect it to help them recover from their disease.\

Without
suffering from the diseases, it is impossible to understand the extent of pain, tension,
and stress that are imposed on patients with the purpose of saving life. Even if the
suffering of patients arising from various intractable diseases can be treated with
inpatient hospital care at a large hospital combined with state-of-the-art medical
facilities, patients have no opportunity, during the course of treatment, to experience a
feeling of comfort and a pleasant state of mind arising from refreshing perspiration.

The
treatment modality thermal therapy that I have worked on since 1989 is a
warming therapy for soothing the mind and body equally, with 60°C dry far-infrared sauna
bathing. Therefore, if thermal therapy is referred to as Waon
therapy, it is easy to understand the true meaning as distinguished from, for
example, local high-heat therapy for cancer. Soothing warmth: Waon
is a word I have coined, and Waon can be understood in Japanese as
soothing warmth, meaning warmth that comfortably refreshes the mind and
body. In other words, Waon is the essence of the thermal
therapy that I have been improving and refining for eighteen years. Therefore, to
obtain a correct understanding of my thermal therapy modality, I would like to
refer to it as Waon therapy: soothing warmth therapy and I would like to
familiarize readers further with the idea.

Waon
therapy is defined as therapy in which the entire body is warmed in an evenly
heated chamber (device) for 15 minutes at a temperature that soothes the mind and body,
and after the deep-body temperature has increased by approximately 1.0?1.2°C, the
soothing warmth effects are sustained by maintaining the warmth at rest for an additional
30 minutes, with fluids corresponding to perspiration being supplied at the end.

There
are various clinical applications 1-11) of Waon therapy, and the effects are
dramatic. In particular, a drastic recovery is often seen in intractable diseases that are
resistant to drug therapy such as severe heart failure 1), which is an indication of the
need for a heart transplant, peripheral artery disease with intractable ulcer 6), severe
fibromyalgia syndrome 9), chronic fatigue syndrome 8), and salivary secretion failure
caused by Sjogrens syndrome 10)). The effects are remarkable, and Waon
therapy is not simply therapy for organs and local sites. It also improves the
systemic vascular function, corrects central and peripheral autonomic nerves and
neurohumoral factors (hormonal activity), and activates autoimmunity and the bio-defense
mechanism.

If
Waon therapy is performed once a day for 3?5 days a week over the course of a
2?6-week period (10 weeks for peripheral artery disease) a clearly positive effect on the
intractable diseases mentioned above can be obtained. Furthermore, with subsequent
continuation for 2?3 days a week, the effects of Waon therapy can also be
steadily maintained.

To
demonstrate the effectiveness of Waon therapy as a comprehensive therapy, the
effects on chronic heart failure are briefly described in the following example.
Waon therapy improves the clinical conditions, cardiac function, and vascular
function of patients with chronic heart failure and corrects abnormal autonomic nervous
response and neurohumoral factors 3). It dilates systemic arteries and veins to reduce the
preload and afterload on the heart and significantly increase cardiac output 1).
Arrhythmia caused by chronic heart failure is significantly decreased 4). In addition,
Waon therapy considerably improves a depressive state, insomnia, anorexia, and
ill feelings of patients with heart failure 3). If Waon therapy is performed
once a day for 5 days a week over the course of a 2-week period (10 times in total),
cardiomegaly is significantly reduced, the cardiac function is improved, and ANP and BNP
can be significantly decreased 3). If Waon therapy is subsequently continued
even furth er, then the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure tends to
significantly improve. In an investigation using a heart failure model (TO-2 hamsters), it
was verified that the group for which Waon therapy was continually repeated
once a day had a 35% improved survival rate compared to the group without this therapy
12).

Waon
therapy significantly improves the endothelium-dependent vasodilatory potency of
patients with heart failure. In an experiment using heart failure model hamsters,
Waon therapy considerably increased the expression of mRNA of vascular
endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in vascular endothelial and intensified the
expression of eNOS protein 13,14). A remarkable expression of mRNA and protein of eNOS was
also observed in an experiment with peripheral arterial disease models 15). Specifically,
after an apolipoprotein E-knockout mouse has a femoral artery removed, if Waon
therapy is continually repeated once a day for 35 days, the expression of mRNA and
the protein level of eNOS also considerably increases, while the number of blood
capillaries increases, the blood flow remarkably improves in the ischemic limbs, and
angiogenesis can be achieved. In other words, Waon therapy is deeply involved
in the production of effects on genetic, molecular, and cellular levels, and this
treatment modality therefore plays an important role in the recovery of the living body.

Waon
therapy is safe and highly cost-efficient, and is also a gentle comprehensive
therapy that soothes patients and encourages refreshing perspiration, unlike conventional
therapy, which often requires the patients endurance. I sincerely hope that
Waon therapy will be approved for coverage by medical insurance as soon as
possible, as a new therapy for the 21st century. Such approval would be very good news for
our patients.

The First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread
pain with tenderness in specific areas.
We examined the applicability of Waon therapy (soothing warmth therapy) as a new method of
pain treatment in patients with FMS.

METHODS: Thirteen female FMS patients (mean age, 45.2+/-15.5 years old; range, 25-75) who
fulfilled the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology participated in this study.
Patients received Waon therapy once per day for 2 or 5 days/week. The patients were placed
in the supine or sitting position in a far infrared-ray dry sauna maintained at an even
temperature of 60 degrees C for 15 minutes, and then transferred to a room maintained at
26-27 degrees C where they were covered with a blanket from the neck down to keep them
warm for 30 minutes. Reductions in subjective pain and symptoms were determined using the
pain visual analog scale (VAS) and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ).

RESULTS: All patients experienced a significant reduction in pain by about half after the
first session of Waon therapy (11-70%), and the effect of Waon therapy became stable
(20-78%) after 10 treatments. Pain VAS and FIQ symptom scores were significantly
(p<0.01) decreased after Waon therapy and remained low throughout the observation
period. CONCLUSION: Waon therapy is effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.

5 alternative medicine treatments that work By Elizabeth
Cohen CNN
Empowered Patient is a regular feature from CNN Medical News correspondent Elizabeth Cohen
that helps put you in the driver's seat when it comes to health care.
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Dr. Andrew Weil wasn't sure exactly how he hurt his knee; all he
knew was that it was painful. But instead of turning to cortisone shots or heavy doses of
pain medication, Weil turned to the ancient Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture.
"It worked -- my knee felt much better," says Weil.
Americans spend billions of dollars each year on alternative medicine, everything from
chiropractic care to hypnosis.
Weil says alternative medicine can work wonders -- acupuncture, certain herbs, guided
imagery.
For example, Dr. Brian Berman, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine, has done a series of studies showing
acupuncture's benefits for osteoarthritis of the knee.
Extensive studies have also been done on mind-body approaches such as guided imagery, and
on some herbs, including St. John's wort.
But on the other hand, there also is a lot of quackery out there, Weil says. "I've
seen it all, [including] products that claim to increase sexual vigor, cure cancer and
allay financial anxiety."
So how do you know what works and what doesn't when it comes to alternative medicine? Just
a decade ago, there weren't many well-done, independent studies on herbs, acupuncture,
massage or hypnosis, so patients didn't have many facts to guide them.
But in 1999, eight academic medical centers, including Harvard, Duke and Stanford, banded
together with the purpose of encouraging research and education on alternative medicine.
Eight years later, the Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine has
38 member universities, and has gathered evidence about what practices have solid science
behind them.
Here, from experts at five of those universities, are five alternative medicine practices
that are among the most promising because they have solid science behind them.
1. Acupuncture for pain
Hands, down, this was the No. 1 recommendation from our panel of experts. They also
recommended acupuncture for other problems, including nausea after surgery and
chemotherapy.

2.Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 for PMS
When pre-menstrual syndrome rears its ugly head, gynecologist Dr. Tracy Gaudet encourages
her patients to take these dietary supplements. "They can have a huge impact on
moodiness, bloating, and on heavy periods," says Gaudet, who's the executive director
of Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke University Medical School.

3. St. John's Wort for depression
The studies are a bit mixed on this one, but our panel of experts agreed this herb -- once
thought to rid the body of evil spirits - is definitely promising. "It's worth a try
for mild to moderate depression," says Weil, founder and director of the Program in
Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. "Remember it will take six to
eight weeks to see an effect." Remember, too, that St. John's wort can interfere with
some medicines; the University of Maryland Medical Center has a list.

4. Guided imagery for pain and anxiety
"Go to your happy place" has become a cliché, but our experts say it really
works. The technique, of course, is more complicated than that. "In guided imagery we
invite you to relax and focus on breathing and transport you mentally to a different
place," says Mary Jo Kreitzer, Ph.D., R.N., founder and director of the Center for
Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota.
There's a guided imagery demo at the University of Minnesota's Web site.

5. Glucosamine for joint pain
"It's safe, and it looks like it's effective," says Dr. Frederick Hecht,
director of research at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of
California, San Francisco. "It may be the first thing that actually reverses
cartilage loss in osteoarthritis."
All our experts warn that since alternative medicine is financially lucrative, a lot of
charlatans have gotten into the business. They have these tips for being a savvy shopper:

1. Look for "USP" or "NSF" on the labels
"The biggest mistake people make is they don't get a good product," says Dr.
Mary Hardy, medical director of the Sims/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology. She
says the stamp of approval from the United States Pharmacopoeia or NSF International, two
groups with independent verification programs, means what's on the label is in the
product.

2. Find a good practitioner
Make sure the alternative medicine practitioner you're going to is actually trained to
practice alternative medicine. One place to start is the Consortium for Academic Health
Centers for Integrative Medicine

3. Be wary of crazy claims
"Anything that sounds too good to be true probably is," says Weil.
And once you do start on your journey with alternative medicine, here's a piece of advice:
Take it slow. Alternative medicine works, but sometimes not as quickly as taking a drug.
"I tell people it's going to take a while," says Hardy. "I tell them to do
a six- to eight-week trial, or even 12 weeks."

The great promise of mind-body medicine will never be fulfilled as long as the treatments
are unpredictable. This has been a major stumbling block in the West, ever since the
original excitement over acupuncture in the '70s and Ayurveda in the '80s. Patients who
have been helped sing the praises of alternative medicine while official clinical trials
don't satisfy the skeptics.
In the East it is more easily accepted that each patient is unique, and therefore one
cannot expect that the same therapy will lead to the same results in
everybody. One sees this in the placebo effect, also. You can give inert sugar pills to
cure pain, and the pain will go away in some patients but not others.

To a Western-trained physician, this lack of reliability undermines the treatment's
credibility. Medical schools teach their students to expect a shot of penicillin or an
appendectomy to lead to a cure as reliably for patient A as for patient B. In practice
there is no such thing as complete reliability, however, and one must consider how many
patients die on the operating table or suffer extreme side effects from drugs.

There is also the problem that drugs become less effective over time - the phenomenon
known as tachyphylaxis - and that "super germs" develop in hospitals, causing a
serious rise in illness and death caused by the treatment - a phenomenon known as
iatrogenic disease.

In response to the growing resistance of microbes to standard antibiotics, drug companies
promise to develop new alternatives as the germs learn to beat the old drugs, but unless
there's big money in it, the pharmaceutical research isn't undertaken with any great
enthusiasm or speed. Hence the vicious circle of ineffective drugs, smarter germs, and
rising drug prices that plagues American medicine.

That's one reason, among many, why mind-body medicine poses a brighter future than the
proponents of standard drugs and surgery are willing to concede. (The fact that the
average American over 70 takes seven prescription drugs a day must make anyone pause.)
The public already trusts alternative medicine far more than the official voices who warn
against it year after year. One reads of the dire effects of vitamin A poisoning, for
example, when in reality the number of megavitamin overdoes in this country is minuscule
compared to the thousands of people who get sick and die from hospital infections.

It's like condemning nutmeg as a hallucinogen while and ignoring the crash of five jumbo
jets. The New England Journal of Medicine has been much less sympathetic to alternative
medicine than the leading British journal, The Lancet, which ran a 2005 article on the
effectiveness of homeopathy in treating and preventing colds and flu.
Almost immediately The Lancet ran a counter article bolstering the conventional view that
homeopathy isn't effective. This represents the usual confusion. Adherents to alternative
medicine clash with the establishment, both sides pointing to their own research, but both
sides also having to admit that definitive results never seem to settle their disputes.

I've come to feel that the argument will never be settled until we accept a fact of
nature: everyone has a unique response to disease. No single treatment can be expected to
cure or prevent illness with complete reliability, and even if Western medicine is right
to claim that a drug like penicillin works more often than any alternative, Eastern
medicine can point to drug intolerance, side effects, and expense as considerable
drawbacks. (Not to mention the exponential risks that often mount when pharmaceuticals are
mixed with one another, or with alcohol consumption.)

Therefore, each of us needs to consider our own bodies, our own life history, and our own
susceptibility. Mainstream medicine constantly tries to sell its one-size-fits-all
position, and it shouldn't. For decades all patients with high blood pressure were put on
reduced salt diets that they found hard to tolerate, despite the fact that over 80 percent
of people are not salt sensitive and can eat as much salt as they want.

Over that same period, low-cholesterol diets were pushed for all patients at risk for
premature heart attacks, even though the connection between the cholesterol you eat and
the cholesterol in your blood varies widely. To claim that there was a simple correlation
was bad science.
Meanwhile, the strong correlation between heart attacks and psychological stress was
pursued with much less enthusiasm, if at all. Today, of course, newer and better drugs are
meant to solve all problems. What, then, can you and I do to offset the unpredictable
nature of healing? The answer doesn't lie in a simplistic choice between drugs and surgery
all the time or none of the time. We have to envision a new future for the body, and with
that in hand, intelligent choices can be made from both sides of the medical menu,
mainstream and alternative.

There's no shortage of "alternative" treatment options available today, but some
therapies are not only unproven--they're also potentially dangerous. Physicians warn that
while the makers of dietary supplements may claim to offer "natural" treatments,
any pill you take can act like a drug and therefore carries a risk of adverse events and
drug interactions. On top of that, there is no guarantee that these supplements even work.

As we grow older, it's normal for the levels of certain chemicals and hormones--such as
testosterone--to decline, but taking a pill to replace what you've lost isn't always the
safest solution. "The blood level of a substance declines with age, but returning it
to 'youthful' levels doesn't necessary help and may actually cause harm," says
Rosanne Leipzig, MD, PhD, professor and vice chairman of geriatrics at Mount Sinai School
of Medicine.

For example, postmenopausal women do not produce as much estrogen as they used to and, as
a result, they can experience bothersome symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
However, while estrogen-replacement therapy can alleviate these symptoms, it also can
increase the risk of breast cancer and blood clots.

The dangers of dietary supplements. The same problems surround the use of dietary
supplements. There is no proof that using supplements to replace what you've lost is safe
and effective. For example, the antioxidant selenium tends to decrease as we age, but
recent studies have shown that taking selenium supplements could actually increase the
risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In addition, a lot of the claims made about dietary
supplements have not been scientifically proven.

"Clearly, further studies have to be done before we can make a decision about whether
or not a particular supplement is safe," Dr. Leipzig says. "We really have no
way of knowing the effects on people without seeing the results of large, randomized,
controlled trials."
Unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements are not currently monitored to make sure
that what is stated on the label is actually what is in each pill. "Because dietary
supplements are not FDA-approved, anything can be in the bottle," Dr. Leipzig warns.
"So you end up paying good money and you don't really know what you're getting."

There is also the risk of interaction between dietary supplements and other drugs you may
be taking. For example, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and garlic should not be taken with
blood-thinners because they increase the risk of bleeding. It's important to consult with
your doctor to decide if the potential for benefit outweighs the potential for harm.

Truly "natural" therapy. Although aging is a natural process and many people
want to live as long as possible, most people don't want to look or feel older.
"There are lots of things you can do instead of taking dietary supplements to help
prolong your life and ensure maximum health," advises Dr. Leipzig. "The four
most important things are to always wear your seat belt, quit smoking, maintain a healthy
weight, and exercise regularly."

Dr. Leipzig acknowledges that some dietary supplements, such as glucosamine and
chondroitin for arthritis pain, do show promise, but at this point, it's too early to tell
which therapies are both effective and safe. You can find more high quality information
about alternative medicine at www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/booth/ booths/altmed.html and
nccam.nih.gov.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Belvoir Media Group, LLC
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Herb, Nutrient, and Drug Interactions: Clinical
Implications and Therapeutic Strategies
*Note  This book is a bit pricey for most of us, but most libraries should be able
to get a copy for you.
Mario Roxas

Use of nutritional and herbal products is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United
States. As more people take nutritional supplements and herbal medicines, a growing
concern among alternative and conventional practitioners is potential drug/herb and
drug/nutrient interactions. Consequently, this book--Herb, Nutrient, and Drug
Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies (HNDI)--comes at an
opportune time.

The authors have performed the Herculean task of creating, from a vast collection of
references, a detailed guide to potential interactions of the most commonly encountered
herbs and nutrients with common prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

Published in January 2008, HNDI consists of 70 monographs--30 herbs (from Aloe to Vitex)
and 40 nutrients (subcategorized as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and nutraceuticals
and physiologics).

Each monograph starts with a quick, at-a-glance summary table identifying the particular
drug/ drug class, a brief mechanism of interaction, and a recommended course of action.
The body of the monograph supplies the reader with detailed information outlined by the
following subheadings:

* Herb/Nutrient Description: General background about the herb/nutrient (e.g., common
species, country of origin, parts used, chemical formula, etc.)
* Herb/Nutrient in Clinical Practice: Historical and contemporary indications for usage,
key chemical constituents, and dosage ranges
* Interactions Review: General information regarding interactions with drugs
* Herb-Drug/Nutrient-Drug Interactions: More detailed information about herb/nutrient and
specific drugs or drug categories
* Theoretical, Speculative, and Preliminary Interactions Research, Including Overstated
Interactions Claims
There is a system of symbols throughout the book to aid the reader in determining the
level of clinical significance of the herb- or nutrient-drug interaction, type and
clinical significance of the interaction, and strength and quality of the source evidence.
Although the symbols are intended to be helpful, they can be somewhat confusing. For
instance, the same symbol is used more than once to describe different and, at one point,
opposing situations.

The authors have compiled a substantial amount of information into one text. And therein
lies the value of this book--pertinent drug interaction data for numerous herbs and
nutrients in a single reference.
Elsevier Mosby, St Louis, MO 63146
ISBN-13: 978-0-323-02964-3; Softcover; 932 pages; $88.95
Book Review by Mario Roxas, ND

When traditional medical treatment fails to ease your chronic pain, consider trying a
complementary therapy. There are a number of non-medical treatments with established
safety records--such as hypnosis, massage, acupuncture, mind-body techniques, and
psychological counseling--that have been shown to relieve pain in some patients.

For example, researchers have found that a form of interpersonal therapy called cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT)--which helps people replace
unhealthy beliefs and behaviors with more positive ones--may be associated with
significant pain reduction in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who do not
respond to medications and dietary changes. A study reported in the August 2007 issue of
Gastroenterology revealed that subjects with IBS showed significant improvements in
symptoms of pain and bloating after participating in a program of once-a-week CBT sessions
for 10 weeks, or four months of once-a-month CBT combined with a regimen of relaxation and
problem-solving exercises at home.

"If standard medical treatment doesn't work, it's a good idea to look elsewhere for
help," says Randy L. Gollub, MD, PhD, Associate Director of the Psychiatric
Neuroimaging Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. "Complementary
medicine can sometimes bring relief of pain where traditional medicine cannot. It's always
best to check with a doctor before choosing a complementary therapy; as long as your
doctor has no objections, it may be worth a try."

UNDERSTANDING PAIN
There are many categories of pain, Dr. Gollub explains, and some of these may not respond
to standard treatment.
"Some types of pain are caused by ongoing physiological or mechanical processes that
can be identified, such as pain following an injury or arising from a specific
disorder," she says. "These types of pain are addressable by medical
interventions.
"But other types of pain--such as pain that lingers after physical injury has healed
or fibromyalgia (a disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain)--are not yet well
understood. Such conditions are associated with pathological processes that often fail to
respond to our best treatment efforts. In these cases it makes sense to consider exploring
complementary treatments to see if any can help bring relief."

OTHER APPROACHES
Although complementary treatments may not work in all cases and scientific data to support
the use of some therapies may not be extensive, the principal therapies have minimal side
effects and are safe for most individuals. Among the most promising therapies are:
* Psychological counseling: Seeing a mental health professional for treatment of anxiety
disorders and mood disorders such as depression can help reduce levels of perceived pain.
It also may help individuals with chronic pain to learn relaxation techniques, stress
reduction, and other effective strategies for coping with pain.
* Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese form of medicine can be very effective in relieving
pain from conditions such as arthritis, headaches and aches in muscles and connective
tissues. Therapy consists of inserting slender needles through the skin, muscles and
connective tissues at any of nearly 1,000 points along energy channels (meridians) to
remove blockages and achieve energy balance. The procedure, which itself is essentially
pain-free, is thought to cause the release of natural painkillers called endorphins.
* Massage: There are more than 80 types of massage therapy, which involves manipulating
muscles and other soft tissues of the body to improve circulation and flexibility, reduce
stress and promote relaxation, among other benefits. Massage has been shown to effectively
relieve musculoskeletal pain in some individuals. In one group of subjects with low back
pain who underwent 10 weeks of massage treatment, benefits from massage were still evident
a year after treatment.
* Hypnosis: Individuals who undergo hypnosis are induced to enter a state of deep
relaxation called a "trance," during which concentration is focused and
awareness of external noises and activity is diminished. In this state, the hypnotized
person is open to suggestions from a health practitioner that may lead to changes in
thoughts, perceptions, behavior, or sensations. Imaging studies have shown the technique
can reduce activity in brain regions responsible for pain perception.
* Mind-body techniques: Significant pain reduction may be achieved in some people by
harnessing the power of the mind to address bodily pain. Mind-body practices include
techniques such as guided imagery (in which pleasing mental images are used as a
distraction from pain and a means of promoting relaxation), meditation, progressive muscle
relaxation, and yoga. They are thought to stimulate the brain's production of endorphins.
* Neurofeedback: Research has shown that chronic pain can be reduced by training the brain
to function within certain brain wave frequencies. A patient is connected by sensors
attached at the ear and scalp to a computer graphic display that represents his or her
brain waves. Patients are trained to modify their brain waves to achieve specific changes
in the display while they watch. To decrease chronic pain, patients learn to decrease
activity in a region of the brain believed to process the perception and regulation of
pain.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Follow these suggestions offered by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative
medicine (NCCAM) when you look for complementary medicine health care:
* Gather information about the type of therapy you are considering from sources such as
professional organizations, academic Web sites, and publications.
* Check with your insurance company to determine whether the therapy you are interested in
is covered.
* Discuss the therapy with your primary health care provider and ask for a referral. If
your doctor cannot recommend someone, seek a referral from a professional organization.
* When considering a complementary therapy practitioner, ask about the person's training,
credentials, and experience.

They usually come in "hurting all over." They often are depressed, discouraged
and not sleeping well. They frequently arise stiff and sore in the morning, feeling
fatigued. They have suffered bouts of irritable bowel symptoms. They appear anxious and
feel chronically "burned out."

According to the American Academy of Rheumatology (ACR), 3 million to 6 million Americans
suffer from some form of the disorder fibromyalgia. A majority of them are women of
childbearing age. However, fibromyalgia also can affect children, the elderly and men.

Conventional Wisdom
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread muscle, ligament and tendon pain, chronic
fatigue and multiple areas of trigger-point tenderness. The condition was recognized in
previous generations, but was known by other names such as muscular rheumatism, fibrocitis
and tension myalgia.

Allopathic medicine does not recognize a cause for fibromyalgia. Current thinking centers
on internal imbalances that cause an increase in sensitivity to pain signals. Sleep
disturbance, past injury, infection, metabolic muscle changes, hormonal imbalance and
stress are other considerations in the etiology of fibromyalgia. Interestingly for
chiropractors, abnormalities of sympathetic nervous system function also have been
postulated as a factor in its etiology.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult, as it can mimic many other disorders. The ACR
has established the criteria of at least three months of chronic widespread pain and
tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific trigger-point sites.

Alternative/Holistic Perspective
Many in the alternative health care community see systemic toxicity as a fundamental
consideration in fibromyalgia. They believe physiological disturbances from impaired
heart, liver, lung and kidney function are at the root of the problem. As we know, the
liver and kidneys are the primary detoxifiers of the body. Thus, systemic toxicity
(autointoxication) can be the end result of impaired function in these organs.
As specialists in neuromusculoskeletal disorders, we can forget that life itself, as we
know it, is basically an electromagnetic phenomenon. In the East, they describe this
essential internal energy reserve as qi. Some even see the liver and kidneys as akin to
batteries of the body, with the liver serving as the positive pole and the kidneys as the
negative. When these organs are deficient in functioning, the body's "battery"
is said to be run down. Chronic fatigue, low vitality and organic depression are the
result, features common in fibromyalgia patients.

Just as the internal composition of a regular battery can influence its charge, the inner
atmosphere of the human body can influence its vitality and strength. Scientific evidence
increasingly points to the fact that, for maximum health and wellness, we should be
primarily vegetarians, with fruits and vegetables making up the great majority (70 percent
to 80 percent) of consumed food. Good-quality grains, nuts and oils, dairy and lean meats
should make up the other 20 percent to 30 percent. This has an anti-inflammatory effect
and creates an alkalized internal atmosphere, which also produces the health benefit of
discouraging reproduction of most pH-dependent human pathogens that are acid-loving.

Therapeutic Regimen
Systemic toxicity demands that primary attention be given to the basic processes of
adequate hydration and increased eliminations. My personal observation is that very few
patients consume sufficient water for bodily needs, which is estimated to be at least 64
ounces (eight glasses) daily. They tend to try and substitute colas, teas and coffee, all
of which are diuretic, resulting in little or no net fluid gain. Almost all human
biochemical processes require hydrogen. Without sufficient hydration, these processes
slow, contributing to fatigue and accentuating the accumulation of metabolic wastes.
Under- or frank dehydration also slows bowel motility, which contributes to reabsorption
of toxic waste into the general circulation. "Water is medicine" is my advice to
these patients, along with a cleansing diet of fresh fruits and vegetables. Enemas and
laxatives also might be useful in internal cleansing, especially if a patient has been
constipated. For the most severe cases of long-standing autointoxication, I recommend
patients consider a series of colonic irrigations.
Manual therapy (spinal adjustment and massage) will prove very beneficial to most
sufferers of fibromyalgia. Spinal biomechanical lesions and nerve "impingements"
almost always reflexly stimulate some degree of associated regional muscular spasm, which
leads to a relative ischemia and toxemia in and around the tissue. Chronic, longstanding
myospasm creates adhesions, scarring and fibrosis.

In applying any form of manual therapy to those with fibromyalgia, one should take great
care in the early stages. Since these patients have heightened sensitization to pain,
overly aggressive, hamfisted approaches to treatment often will backfire, creating such
additional suffering pain as to lose a patient. In the early days, many osteopaths and
chiropractors recommended sustained anti-inflammatory measures such as repetitive cold
packs and a series of hands-on massages before even attempting spinal manipulation for
those with severe pain syndromes.

In recommending dietary changes to patients, I have found it beneficial to discuss the
"opportunity of illness." While this sounds counterintuitive, I explain that the
reason for the pain signal is to alert them to the underlying condition that needs to be
changed for the better. I believe most frank pathology is the result of long-term
imbalance in normal physiology, often caused by errors in diet and lifestyle and
exacerbated by past injury or chronic inflammation.

Some form of moderate exercise such as walking or swimming is essential to recovery from
fibromyalgia. Also frequently beneficial is the discipline of yoga-type stretching. Being
out in the open as much as possible while exercising has been shown to be superior to time
spent inside on the treadmill. Both walking and swimming mobilize needed lymphatic flow in
the body. Arm swings pump this "dirty seawater" back into the veins under the
clavicle, where it eventually is cleansed. Of course, the skin and lungs play an important
role in metabolic waste elimination as well, so heating a well-hydrated body (hot baths,
sauna) to create increased heart rate, perspiration and aerobic breathing also is
beneficial.

Finally, "the mind is the builder, or the mind is the slayer" is a
wellrecognized axiom that acknowledges the health or disease effect of attitude and
emotion. Fear-filled, angry folk who habitually engage in what motivational speaker Zig
Ziglar called "stinking thinking," eventually pay a price in their body's lack
of wellness. Taking in lots of information that creates distress and inner turmoil, while
feeling completely helpless to improve the situation, is what Hans Selye (who coined the
term stress) called "pathologically alarming" to us human animals. Conversely,
time spent in reading and positive thought of our highest purposes and ideals can
contribute substantially to the healing process.

Fibromyalgia can be healed and left behind in a person's life experience. Recognizing its
multi-faceted causes and taking a comprehensive approach to its treatment is essential to
success in your efforts as true healer.
BY JOHN R. BOMAR, DC
DR. JOHN R. BOMAR is a 1978 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. A past board
member of the Arkansas Chiropractic Association and the Arkansas Chiropractic Educational
Society, he maintains private practices in Arkadelphia and hot Springs, Ark. He can be
contacted at johnrbomar@ hotsprings.net.

Magnets
and pain are an old married couple. As early as 200 AD, Greek healers prescribed magnetic
rings to people wracked by arthritic pains. In 19th century America, magnetic salves,
corsets, belts, suspenders, insoles, liniments and even underwear were sold as balms for
joint pain.

Today, the market for magnetic cures remains hugean estimated US$500 million in the
US and US$5 billion around the world. It includes wrist and knee bands, neck and back
braces, magnetic dog collars and resting pads, as well as blankets, toothbrushes, water,
soap, dental floss, razors, car seats, exercise balls, face masks, horse massagers,
panties, head caps, pillows and mattresses. In short, if you want a magnetic anything, you
can probably find it.

When it comes to magnets, most do not work; almost none have been clinically tested, and
just because something says it is magnetic doesnt mean it is biologically effective.
Most arent, says Michael Weintraub, a professor of neurology and internal
medicine at New York Medical College.

Sole support

What makes Weintraubs views especially worth noting is that he actually is, in a
massively skeptical medical community, a proponent of magnetic pain relief for some
conditions. In 2003, he published a landmark study showing that magnetic shoe insoles were
able to significantly reduce pain in 375 people with diabetes-induced foot aches. The pain
reduction was equal or superior to what people reported after taking painkilling drugs.

What made the study even more significant is that, unlike most studies about magnets, it
came with the highest research pedigree. Namely, there were a large enough number of
patients to make the results statistically significant, the magnetic insoles were compared
to nonmagnetic insoles, people were assigned to both soles at random, and nobody knew who
had what insole.

The latter issue highlights a huge issue in magnetic pain reduction research.
Its impossible not to detect a magnetic field, therefore, somebody who wants
to see if their device is actively magnetic can easily do so, says Weintraub.

All you have to do is pass it near something iron and see if it attracts.

And if study participants know the device they have been given is magnetic, then any
improvement may be a result of the placebo effectthe minds presumption that
any new treatment must produce a positive result. As an example, a 2002 study of magnetism
and carpal tunnel syndrome found that after 45 minutes of treatment there were significant
improvements from braces with and without magnets. The phantom improvements continued to
be seen after two weeks.

More consistent improvement, but not absolutely consistent, has been found in patients
using magnetic fields generated by electricity to treat pains ranging from low back pain,
to arthritic knee pain, to facial pain.

Mysterious but not magical

One explanation of the failure to conclusively prove or disprove magnetisms claims
might be lack of standardization amongst manufacturers. We did a study on back pain
with a magnet a manufacturer said penetrated into the body, but when we tested it we found
it didnt, says Weintraub.

Another problem is that there is no generally agreed upon explanation for how magnets
might work in dulling pain. In 2004, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM) of the US National Institutes of Health listed eight possible reasons for
how magnets might affect the body.

These ranged from changing how nerve cells respond to pain, to increasing blood flow, to
changing the brains perception of pain, to allowing the body to flush toxins more
easily. None of the theories or claims have been conclusively proven,
said NCCAM.

So what is a cautious consumer to do in a world replete with claims for miraculous pain
alleviation with magnets? Investigate before you buy, says Weintraub. This means you have
to check to see if a magnet is as powerful as it claims, if its force can actually
penetrate the skin, and if any benefit has been reported in the scientific literature in
careful studies.

In
a test that pitted one of America's most common health complaints against one of the
hottest forms of alternative medicine, therapeutic magnets failed to help low back pain,
according to a study published today in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical
Association.

It
is estimated that 85% of Americans will experience back pain during their lives. At the
same time, a media campaign promoting magnets for pain has resulted in worldwide sales of
$5 billion, according to the authors of the study.

The
study found that magnet therapy applied for six hours a day, three times during one week
of treatment had no effect on chronic low back pain.

But
the study, which looked at 20 patients from a Veterans Affairs hospital in Arizona, is not
likely to end the debate over whether magnets are humbug or healing. The patients all had
chronic low back pain that had lasted an average of 19 years. Each patient received a week
of treatment with both sham magnets and real magnets.

At
the end of each treatment regimen, the patients were given standard tests designed to
assess pain levels. The magnet group fared no better the placebo group.

Although
the study is one of the few randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled tests of magnet
therapy, the study's authors said it was not intended to definitively prove or disprove
the effectiveness of magnets in general.

Stronger
magnets might have yielded different results, the authors said. For the study, researchers
used 300 gauss, bipolar permanent magnets. Gauss is the unit of measurement used in rating
a magnet's strength.

Although
the popularity of magnets has grown, testimonials are easier to find than scientific
evidence showing they have benefit.

There
have been only two previous, small double-blind, placebo- controlled studies, one
involving patients with post-polio pain and the other involving peripheral neuropathy,
foot pain caused by a circulation problem.

The
Arthritis Foundation, the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission
warn that science does not support the use of magnets.

In
a report titled Management of Fibromyalgia, the American College of Physicians
& American Society of Internal Medicine listed malic acid among treatments recommended
for Fibromyalgia pain. The report was published in the December 1999 issue of the Annals
of Internal Medicine and was authored by Lawrence J. Levanthal, M.D.

In
their 1999 book, Making Sense of Fibromyalgia, by Daniel J. Wallace, M.D. and Janice Brock
Wallace, the authors noted the success of malic acid and magnesium in FM patients with the
following observations:

An
interesting preparation, containing magnesium and malic acid is now available
Controlled studies from England and Texas in peer-reviewed journals have documented modest
effects of this preparation in muscle spasm, fatigue and pain in Fibromyalgia. If patients
take a dose larger than recommended on the bottle its effects become apparent within
a week; side effects are uncommon. This combination may work as a result of interactions
between magnesium and calcium channels within muscles and the generation of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP), our cellular fuel.

Research
Confirms Malic Acids Use to Alleviate Pain and Fatigue

Leading
healthcare professionals familiar with CFS are continuing to recommend malic acid for the
chronic muscle soreness and fatigue that most patients experience.

They
have found that patients using a combination of malic acid and magnesium hydroxide report
improvements with reduction of muscle pain and tiredness.

Similarly,
Dr. Goldstein has found malic acid to be a safe, inexpensive nutritional supplement for
CFS symptoms and suggests it should be added to the list of therapeutic approaches. He
currently prescribes it for his patients with symptoms associated with CFS, and those
diagnosed with FM. He explains, it may have a modest effect on fatigue and/or
other symptoms.

Fibromyalgia
pain may respond within 48 hours, while fatigue may take about two weeks.

The
effectiveness of the supplement has a sound scientific base. Malic acid, a fruit acid
extracted from apples and widely used in the food industry, is essential in the formation
of ATP, which is our bodys energy source. Malic acid has the ability to allow the
body to make ATP more efficiently, even under low oxygen, or hypoxic, conditions.
Magnesium is a mineral that is required for over 100 enymatic reactions in the body.
Interestingly, many researchers such as Dr. Cheney, have noted that a large percentage of
patients are magnesium depleted on an intra-cellular basis (inside the cell). Standard
blood tests are not sensitive to intra-cellular magnesium.

In
a study published in the May, 1995 edition of the Journal of Rheumatology, the results of
FM treatment with malic acid were assessed in terms of pain, tenderness, ability to
function, and psychological well-being.

The
results showed no therapeutic effects on Fibromyalgia symptoms when malic acid was taken
at the dosage of 600mg for twice a day for four weeks.

However,
when the dosage of malic acid was increased to 1200mg twice a day there were significant
reductions in the pain and tenderness of the Fibromyalgia symptoms. [Treatment of
Fibromyalgia syndrome with Super Malic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
crossover pilot study. Russell IJ; Michalek JE; Flechas JD; Abraham GE; J Rheumatol,
22(5):953-8 1995 May]

Jorge
Flechas, M.D., M.PH., a holistic practitioner in Hendersonville, N.D., has participated in
two medical studies that have tested the combination of malic acid and magnesium for
Fibromyalgia patients. In these studies, patients reported a significant reduction in pain
and tenderness within 48 hours and without any side effects. In his practice, Flechas has
used this supplement combination for six years on about 500 Fibromyalgia patients. I
have found the results are positive 90 percent of the time, he says.

A
supplement called SAM-e could be a new ally in the battle against the pain of
osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and the depression that so often accompanies chronic
illness.

Until
last spring, hardly anybody in this country had heard of a European supplement called
S-adenosylmethionine. But when it hit the market as a natural remedy named SAM-e
(pronounced "sammy") it zoomed in a matter of months from an unknown import to
one of the top-selling dietary supplements in the country.

With
that user-friendly nickname, you almost expect "sammy" pills to be wearing a
little smiley face. And no wonder: Its being touted as a treatment for depression
and osteoarthritis (OA) pain (because of regulations, vaguely referenced on labels as
"emotional well-being" and "joint health"). Studies suggest it can
also help fibromyalgia symptoms and alcoholdamaged livers, and there are claims that it
may help with migraine headaches and maybe even Alzheimers disease. And it seems to
have no serious side effects and no known drug interactions.

These
kinds of sweeping claims have a tendency to make doctors wary, says James McKoy, MD, chief
of rheumatology at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, Hawaii. "Whenever something is
promised to be a cure-all for so many diseases, physicians are very skeptical because so
many miracle cures usually only benefit the producer and the seller," he says.

"But
I think this substance has promise," he adds, and several other doctors agree.

Dr.
McKoy says he has some arthritis patients using SAM-e supplements, "and they like it.
SAM-e might be one of the most effective alternative supplements for osteoarthritis and
fibromyalgia, and I think it is going to prove to be a great alternative for
depression," he says.

People
particularly like SAM-e supplements because they dont have the side effects of
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can cause gastrointestinal damage; or
of antidepressants, which can include sexual dysfunction, dry mouth or nausea. It takes a
week or so for SAM-e to take effect, which is slower than NSAIDs but about twice as fast
as most antidepressant drugs.

Also,
SAM-e has shown no signs of drug interaction and so can be taken along with most, if not
all, prescription drugs, according to Richard Brown, MD, a New York psychiatrist who has
been using SAM-e for years in his practice.

The
Science Behind Sam-E
SAM-e, unlike many dietary supplements, arrived in the marketplace with a thorough
background of scientific studies and a history of use.

Doctors
in Europe have been studying and using SAM-e for more than two decades as a treatment for
osteoarthritis and depression. There are dozens of European studies, including controlled
clinical trials that show it relieves osteoarthritis pain as well as NSAIDs; and that it
works as well as tricyclic antidepressants in improving mood.

In
several countries, its a prescription drug, says Teodoro Bottiglieri, PhD, a
neuropharmacologist at the Baylor University Institute for Metabolic Diseases in Dallas.
Bottiglieri, who has been studying SAM-e for some 15 years, also recently co-wrote a book
on SAM-e, Stop Depression Now (Putnam Publishing Group, 1999), along with Dr. Brown.

SAM-e
is a compound that occurs naturally in all living cells, and is a key player in a process
called methylation that affects more than 100 complex biochemical reactions in the human
body.

SAM-e
helps our bodies make and regulate hormones, cell membranes and the neurotransmitters that
affect mood. SAM-e also contributes to the building blocks for cartilage, and is involved
in making glutathione, which the liver uses to remove poisons such as alcohol.

Our
bodies usually make all the SAM-e we need. But the level of SAM-e decreases as we age, and
levels are low in those who are depressed, or who have deficiencies of B vitamins or
methionine, says Bottiglieri. Good diet and vitamin B supplements can help our bodies
better use SAM-e, but unfortunately they are not going to do much to help people who have
low levels of SAM-e, he says.

SAM-e
supplements, however, can raise levels of this compound. And while scientists dont
know for certain how taking SAM-e supplements works, science has shown it relieves OA pain
and some fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as depression.

Fibromyalgia
And Depression
Some doctors are suggesting SAM-e to their patients with fibromyalgia, because
antidepressant drugs in small doses are often used to ease fibromyalgia symptoms. In
standard-size doses they can also help relieve the depression that frequently accompanies
chronic illness.

The
antidepressant effects of SAM-e are documented in several studies. Its being
prescribed by some psychiatrists to treat depression, particularly for people who
havent responded to other drugs, or who are reluctant to take prescription
antidepressants because of side effects.

"Its
a promising drug," says Maurizio Fava, MD, lead author of a study that shows SAM-e is
an effective antidepressant. Dr. Fava is director of the Clinical Depression Research
Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he uses SAM-e to treat some of his
patients.

But
there are mixed results in studies of SAM-e for fibromyalgia. In one small European study
of fibromyalgia and SAM-e, 200-mg daily injections reduced the number of tender points and
improved mood in patients with fibromyalgia. In another, those taking 800 mg of SAM-e in
pill form had less pain, fatigue and morning stiffness than patients taking placebo, but
no effect on tender points. A third study showed no benefit.

There
are also mixed opinions from physicians.

"I
think SAM-e is even better for fibromyalgia than for osteoarthritis," says Dr. McKoy,
who has several patients using it.

Dr.
Brown agrees, saying he finds the supplement more effective than antidepressants for
fibromyalgia, and that some of his patients get significant pain relief from taking it.

However,
Don Goldenberg, MD, a fibromyalgia specialist and chief of rheumatology at
Newton-Wellesley Hospital in the Boston area, says hes not convinced SAM-e has much
to offer people with fibromyalgia. His laboratory began and abandoned a study on SAM-e
about eight years ago when it didnt appear to have any benefit for fibromyalgia
patients.

However,
Dr. Goldenberg notes that the SAM-e product that was used in the discontinued trial could
have been too old and thus not effective. He says he would like to see more studies.

The
Downsides and the Bottom Line
However, there are some potential downsides to taking SAM-e. Although it has been used for
20 years, there are no controlled, long-term studies to show what effects might occur in
people who take SAM-e daily for years, as they would for either osteoarthritis or
fibromyalgia.

Few
rheumatologists know enough about SAM-e or its research to be able to advise you. And the
appropriate dosage isnt known: Between 200 and 1,600 mg per day of SAM-e was used in
studies, with the highest dosage used for depression.

SAM-e
is not a cure: You have to keep taking it to get the effects, and its pricey for
some: SAM-e costs approximately $60 to $230 per month, depending on the amount taken, and
its not covered by insurance.

And,
as with all supplements, loose regulations mean that there is no guarantee that consumers
are getting active ingredients in the products they buy.

However,
all agreed SAM-e appears to be safe when it is used short term. Both Bottiglieri and Dr.
Brown say it can be taken with most prescription drugs, including antidepressants, under a
doctors supervision. None of the experts interviewed thought SAM-e had any serious
side effects  "except poverty," one scientist said, half-joking about the
cost of the supplement.

"We
really dont have enough information to say if its effective or not," says
Dr. Moskowitz. "But we need to keep an open mind."

Good
Advice
If you decide you would like to try SAM-e for OA, fibromyalgia or depression, keep this
advice in mind:

Dont
try SAM-e without a doctors supervision if you are severely depressed. You must be
under medical care. If you have bipolar disease (also known as manic-depression), SAM-e
could cause a manic episode.

Remember
to tell your doctor you are planning to try SAM-e, especially if you are taking
prescription drugs. And dont stop any prescribed drugs without checking with your
doctor: It can be harmful to stop some medications abruptly.

Try
to choose a SAM-e product that is stabilized. Look for SAM-e butanedisulfonate on the
label. SAM-e loses potency easily, so it has to be carefully packaged in airtight,
light-proof containers. Also, tablets should be coated to dissolve in your intestines, not
your stomach, or youll be wasting some of that expensive substance.

Do
not take more than 1,600 mg per day of SAM-e. For OA pain, some doctors suggest starting
with 800 mg per day, taken in two doses. If you see an improvement in pain or mood
symptoms in two weeks, reduce the dosage to 400 mg. But if you dont see any change,
you may want to increase the dosage and try for another two weeks.

Consider
taking B vitamins  800 mg of folic acid and 1,000 mg of B12 a day  along with
SAM-e, because these vitamins are known to help your body utilize SAM-e.

See
a doctor about any side effects you experience. He may advise you to stop taking SAM-e or
lower your dosage. Side effects are rare, but some people may get a temporary skin
irritation or nausea. Nausea may be eased by taking SAM-e with meals.

Keep
up your regular routine of exercise, and maintain a healthy weight to ease pressure on
your joints.

When news of a supplement comes along that promises to lift depression, ease joint pain,
reverse toxicity in the kidneys and, last but not least, bring relief from Fibromyalgia, a
likely response may be made up of equal parts hope and skepticism. Yet, is this "too
good to be true" attitude of today's consumer necessary? The product with all this
promise is SAM-e (pronounce it "sammy"), and it's causing even the skeptics to
give it serious attention.

What
is SAM-e?

Not
a prescription drug or an herb, SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine) is a synthetic replication of
a compound that the body makes naturally from methionine, an amino acid found in
protein-rich foods. Used in Europe for over twenty years, SAM-e is just beginning to make
national headlines in publications like Newsweek magazine and the Los Angeles Times and in
books and on major television networks.

How
Does it Work?

The
key to understanding the way SAM-e works is by recognizing its role in a process called
methylation. Methylation happens a billion times a second throughout the body and is
responsible for, among other things, the regulation of brain function, preserving bone
health and protecting against heart disease. It helps regulate various hormones and
neurotransmitters including serotonin, melatonin, dopamine and adrenaline. During the
methylation process a molecule in the body "gives up" a methyl group comprised
of four atoms to another molecule, changing both the original molecule and the recipient
of the methyl group in the process. "It [SAM-e] is involved in almost
everything," says Teodoro Bottiglieri, Ph.D. and co-author of the book, "Stop
Depression Now," which discusses his extensive use of SAM-e to treat a number of
illnesses.1

How
does it ease depression?

There
are a few theories. One may be SAM-e's regulation of serotonin and dopamine, which are
mood-lifting neurotransmitters. This hypothesis was confirmed in one study where SAM-e was
shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. This research further found that the cerebrospinal
fluid levels of SAM-e were significantly lower in patients with severe depression, as
compared to the control group. Researchers concluded that SAM-e has antidepressant
effects.2

Actually,
there is little, if any, debate over SAM-e's depression-easing abilities. In fact, SAM-e's
ability to lift mood is comparable to that of standard antidepressants, yet without the
possible side-effects of headache, stomach upset and sexual dysfunction that prescription
drugs often bring.3 Richard Brown, who authored "Stop Depression Now" with
Teodoto Bottiglieri and has treated several hundred patients with SAM-e, calls it,
"...the best antidepressant I've ever prescribed. I've seen only benefits." 4

Can
SAM-e Stop Pain?

SAM-e
was first given to patients for use in treating depression, but when some of those same
patients began to report relief from osteoarthritis joint pain, researchers began to study
this second benefit of the product. Over 22,000 arthritis sufferers reported, after only
four weeks of treatment, that SAM-e gave comparable results to NSAID pain relievers like
ibuprofen.3 The vital distinction is that instead of causing stomach upset like NSAIDs
often do, SAM-e may actually protect the stomach lining. Furthermore, animal studies show
that SAM-e could help restore damaged cartilage in addition to relieving pain.1 This
happens when B-vitamins convert homocysteine into the antioxidant glutathione. This
glutathione conversion yields molecules called sulfate groups that actually help to
restore cartilage. Proof positive: the Arthritis Foundation recently stated that they were
satisfied that SAM-e provides pain relief.

Can
it Treat Fibromyalgia?

Drs.
Brown and Bottiglieri dedicate an entire chapter on SAM-e's positive effects on
Fibromyalgia in their book, "Stop Depression Now." They state that depression
and soreness, of all of FM's symptoms, are the most stubborn. They are careful to point
out that the depression that is common among FM's sufferers is not a symptom of the
disease, but often a by-product of living with chronic illness. They support the benefit
of SAM-e's non-prescription effects: "...fibromyalgia patients get the best of all
worlds--relief from depression and muscle soreness without the side-effects or possible
adverse interactions with other medications." 1

They
are not alone in their findings. In a study of 47 FM patients treated daily with 200mg of
SAM-e intramuscularly and 400mg orally, patients reported significant reduction in tender
points, significant improvement in well-being, and significant reduction in the mean
scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Zung SelRating Scale, the Hamilton
Rating Scale for Anxiety, and the Lorish and Maisiak's Face Scale. All reported that SAM-e
was well-tolerated, with no adverse side effects.5

In
another study of 30 patients with FM, Sjogren's Syndrome, or both, the patients were
treated with 200mg of SAM-e daily through intramuscular injection. At the end of the four
week study, the patients with Sjogren's Syndrome and FM reported a significant reduction
in painful areas and tender points. The patients with only Sjogren's Syndrome reported a
significant reduction on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Finally, the patients
with FM finished the trial with significant reductions in symptoms of FM, numbers of
tender point areas and painful areas, pain severity scores and depression scales.6

Which
SAM-e Should I Take and How Much?

Not
all SAM-e is created equal and those who wish to make SAM-e a part of their
supplementation program should look for two distinctive qualities before purchasing: type
and coating. First, full-strength SAM-e is in a form called butanedisulfonate, which
should not be confused with tosylate or SAM-e sulfate. Second, look for SAM-e tablets that
are enteric coated, meaning that the tablets pass through the acidic environment of the
stomach intact, and can be absorbed most efficiently by the body. Lastly, the amounts used
in various SAM-e studies vary widely, leaving the consumer confused about effective
dosage. The starting dose is 400mg of SAM-e daily on an empty stomach.1

Are
There Are Precautions or Warnings About Taking SAM-e?

Even
those who have jumped on the SAM-e bandwagon are clear to point out that it is not a
"cure" for severe depression and advise consumers to consult with their
physician before taking SAM-e (good advice for anyone beginning a new supplementation
program).

There
is at least one group of people who should avoid SAM-e: those with bi-polar disorder.
Commonly called manic depression, these individuals should be aware that SAM-e may induce
mania in those with the disorder.

In
conclusion

Since
the mass availability of SAM-e earlier this year, the buzz has been strong and the
research to support it very promising, if not yet iron-clad. As stated above, it's a good
idea to consult your physician when beginning any new supplementation program. However, it
does appear that for those wishing to lift their mood, soothe painful joints and muscles,
and lighten the load of FM's many symptoms, SAM-e is a safe complimentary treatment,
nearly without side-effect.

Description
Two types of oxygen therapy could offer some help for adults who suffer from disabling
migraine and cluster headaches. Reviewers
concluded that hyperbaric treatment might give some relief for migraine headache and that
oxygen therapy at normal room pressure
might provide similar relief for cluster headache.

Newswise - Two types of oxygen therapy could offer some relief to adults who suffer from
disabling migraine and cluster headaches,
according to a new research review from Australia.

Migraine headaches are severely painful and usually occur with other symptoms such as
nausea, vomiting and painful sensitivity to light. Cluster headaches cause sharp, burning
pain on one side of the head.

Physicians commonly rely on a number of drug therapies to both treat and prevent migraine
and cluster headaches, but some also prescribe oxygen therapy. The aim of the systematic
review - comprising nine small studies involving 201 participants - was to determine
whether inhaling oxygen actually helps.

"We wanted to locate and assess any evidence from randomized trials that oxygen
administration was a safe and effective treatment for migraine or cluster headaches,"
said lead reviewer Michael Bennett, of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine at Prince of Wales
Hospital in Sydney. "We hoped this would assist physicians to make effective
treatment decisions in this area."

The review appears in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The
Cochrane Collaboration, an international
organization that evaluates research in all aspects of health care. Systematic reviews
draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content
and quality of existing trials on a topic.

Five studies compared hyperbaric versus sham (placebo) therapy for migraine; two compared
hyperbaric versus sham therapy for cluster headache; and two investigated the use of
normobaric therapy for cluster headache. Length of treatment varied with each study.

Three studies reported the number of patients who had significant relief from their
migraines within 40 to 45 minutes of hyperbaric
therapy. Although the studies did not specify each patients' response to treatment, they
reported a significant increase in the proportion of patients who had relief with
hyperbaric oxygen compared to sham therapy.

For cluster headaches, two studies (69 patients) found a significantly greater proportion
of patients had relief of their
headaches after 15 minutes of normobaric compared to sham therapy.

The reviewers concluded that hyperbaric treatment might give some relief for migraine
headache and that normobaric therapy might
provide similar relief for cluster headache, but there is no evidence that these therapies
will prevent future attacks.

"We believe that hyperbaric oxygen is also a reasonable measure for migraineurs who
have not responded to other measures to treat an acute attack," Bennett said.
"However, the poor availability of hyperbaric chambers makes this an option only in a
minority of health facilities. Most physicians treating headaches will continue to rely on
established and emerging pharmacological options for treating and preventing acute
attacks."

Estimates indicate that 6 percent to 7 percent of men and 15 percent to 18 percent of
women suffer from severe migraine headaches, and cluster headaches effect about 0.2
percent of the population.

John Kirchner, M.D., of the Kirchner Headache Clinic in Omaha, Neb., has treated thousands
of patients suffering from a variety of
headaches, including migraine and cluster, and said he does not include oxygen therapy in
his patients' treatment plans.

"This [oxygen therapy] would not be practical as the headache comes on fast and does
not last long," he said. "So there would not be time to get the patient to the
chamber."

The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit, independent organization that
produces and disseminates systematic reviews of health care interventions and promotes the
search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions.
Visit http://www.cochrane.org for more information.

A new Web site by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discusses their safety,
effectiveness. By Jennifer Thomas HealthScoutNews Reporter

If
you have high blood pressure, did you know you probably shouldn't take ginseng?

Or
that St. John's wort can interfere with chemotherapy?

Or
that garlic capsules and gingko biloba can hinder blood coagulation, a potentially major
problem if you had to undergo surgery?

A
new Web site created by experts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City
provides up-to-date information on the safety and efficacy of 135 of the most popular
herbal remedies and dietary supplements, from bee pollen to shark cartilage and skullcap
to milk thistle.

Each
entry includes a summary and a critique of all the known medical studies on the
supplement, as well as a link to the original research on the National Institutes of
Health's Medline.

In
the past decade, use of alternative treatments has skyrocketed, says Barrie Cassileth,
chief of integrative medicine at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, who started the site. "But
until now there was no easy access to current, comprehensive information about these
agents," she adds.

Research
is under way around the globe to scientifically document the effects of hundreds of herbs
and other dietary supplements.

Some
studies have proven that certain natural substances do have benefits, though in nearly all
cases research is mixed. The element zinc, for example, has shown promise in lessening the
duration of a cold by making it difficult for the rhinovirus to replicate. And some
research shows St. Johns wort can help ease depression.

But
that means the converse is also true -- herbs can be dangerous.

"Herbs
are powerful, biologically active products that do have important biological
effects," Cassileth says. "Those effects can be useful at some times and harmful
under other circumstances."

"Herbs
should not be used in a casual fashion because they are serious medicines," she adds.

For
instance, ginseng can cause low blood sugar in diabetics. And valerian and kava can lessen
the effectiveness of prescription drugs by interfering with the liver's ability to process
the medicines, Cassileth says.

Another
thing to keep in mind: While much is known about the effects of herbs on the body, much
more is not known.

Dietary
supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or any government
agency. That means the potency in one bottle of St. Johns wort, for example, can -- and
often does -- vary dramatically from that in another bottle, Cassileth says.

And
you can't even be sure you're getting St. Johns Wort.

"Anybody
can put anything on a bottle and put it on a health food store shelf," she says.
"Some of the herbal remedies have virtually none of what is assumed to be the active
ingredient, some have much higher levels and some are contaminated with other
substances."

On
the new Web site, the 135 supplements are listed in alphabetical order by scientific name.
The common name is below it. (Acanthopanax Senticosus is better known as ginseng. Allium
Sativun is better known as garlic).

Each
entry includes the brand names the herb is sold under, its purported uses, its chemical
properties, and what's known about how the herb works on the body.

Each
entry also includes a summary and a critique of all the known published medical studies,
instances of adverse reactions, and warnings about potentially dangerous drug
interactions.

Each
critique is fully cited and linked to Medline, so that doctors or patients can retrieve
the original research and read further if they wish.

The
site will be continually updated, Cassileth says. In a few weeks, Cassileth and her
colleagues are planning to launch a second Web site that will be less technical and more
easily understood by patients.

Dr.
David Rosenthal, past president of the American Cancer Society, endorses the Web site.

"This
resource is an invaluable tool for both doctors and patients looking for comprehensive
information about dietary supplements," Rosenthal says.

Dr.
Dean. Ive discussed the dangers of taking ginkgo with aspirin. It can increase your
risk of a stroke, but this isnt mentioned on product labels. MY COMMENTS - This
would also apply to Ibuprofen.)

In
fact, ginkgo shouldnt be used with any anticoagulant drugs or with vitamin E,
according to a nutrition newsletter from Tufts University. The reason is ginkgo acts as a
blood thinner and taking it with other blood-thinning agents can put you at-risk for
excessive bleeding or even stroke.

Shouldnt
manufacturers be required to mention the adverse effects of mixing some herbs and drugs?
Ginkgo isnt the only one you have to be careful with. Echinacea is an immune
stimulant commonly used to ward off colds, but it shouldnt be mixed with
corticosteroids, which work to suppress the immune system.

Here
are some other examples of herbs and medicines that shouldnt go together:

--Echinacea
Might counteract immune-suppressant drugs such as glucocorticoids taken for lupus and
rheumatoid arthritis. Might increase side effects of methotrexate.

--Evening
Primrose oil Can counteract the effects of anti-convulsant drugs.

--Fish oil: May increase effects of blood-thinning drugs and herbs.

--Folic
acid: Interferes with methotrexate; ask your doctor how to take it.

--Ginseng:
Dont mix with coumadin (warfarin) because the herb can reverse the drugs
effects.

--G.L.A.:
May increase effects of blood-thinning drugs and herbs.

--Garlic
Can increase effects of blood-thinning drugs and herbs.

--Ginger:
Can increase NSAID side effects and effects of blood-thinning drugs and herbs

--Ginkgo:
May increase effects of blood-thinning drugs and herbs.

--Ginseng
May increase effects of blood-thinning drugs, estrogens and glucocorticoids;
shouldnt be used by those with diabetes; may interact with MAO inhibitors.

--Kava
Kava: Dont mix with alcohol, anti-Parkinsons medications, antipsychotics,
sedatives, sleeping pills. The reason is kava can add to the effects of drugs that depress
the central nervous system, causing oversedation as well as tremors, muscle spasms or
abnormal movements.

--Natural
licorice: Dont mix with blood pressure medication because of the risk of
counteracting the effects of the drugs treating hypertension.

--Magnesium:
May interact with blood pressure medications.

--St.
Johns Wort: Dont mix with antidepressants. Studies raise concerns of adverse
side effects from the interaction. May enhance effects of narcotics, alcohol, and
antidepressants; increase risk of sunburn; interfere with iron absorption.

--Valerian:
Dont use with alcohol, sedatives or sleeping pills because it may result in extreme
drowsiness.

--Zinc:Can
interfere with glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressing drugs.

There was one case where a 70-year-old man taking aspirin regularly after heart surgery
began using ginkgo biloba twice a day and started bleeding in his eye. After quitting the
herb, the bleeding stopped.

If
mixing herbs and certain drugs causes adverse effects, shouldnt we be aware of this?
I think herbal supplement labels should include these warnings.

LONDON
(Reuters Health) - Chinese herbal medicines may sometimes work--and may sometimes cause
serious harm--because they are adulterated with synthetic drugs, a British research group
said on Tuesday.

The Bandolier organization, which specializes in reviewing healthcare studies, said
Chinese herbal medicines were becoming more popular and there was even evidence that some
might work.

"One of the problems, though, is that these herbal medicines are not standardized,
and usually contain many ingredients. A review tells us that some of those ingredients can
be synthetic drugs, responsible both for good effects, and for serious harm."The
review, published on Bandolier's Web site
(http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/whatnew.html), found that a wide range of adulterants
were used, including steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants,
benzodiazepines, hypoglycemic agents and even Viagra.

While it was not clear what proportion of remedies contained adulterants, analysis of
2,600 samples in Taiwan showed that 24% contained at least one synthetic medicine. In the
US it was 7%.

Case reports showed that two or more adulterants were present in 14 of 15 Chinese herbal
medicines."There was one death reported in these reports, and at least six
potentially life-threatening events," the organization said.

"Suspicion of adulteration was based not only on adverse effects, but suspiciously
good efficacy. Chinese herbal medicines may work because of the adulterants,"
according to the review.

It warned of the potential for adverse events, especially when other treatments were being
prescribed at the same time. Last Updated: 2002-11-05 10:00:40 -0400 (Reuters
Health)

The use of herbal supplements in the US has increased dramatically in recent years. These
products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the same
scrutiny as conventional drugs. Patients who use herbal supplements often do so in
conjunction with conventional drugs. This article is a review of potential adverse
interactions between some of the commonly used herbal supplements and analgesic drugs.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly aspirin, have the potential
to interact with herbal supplements that are known to possess antiplatelet activity
(ginkgo, garlic, ginger, bilberry, dong quai, feverfew, ginseng, turmeric, meadowsweet and
willow), with those containing coumarin (chamomile, motherworth, horse chestnut, fenugreek
and red clover) and with tamarind, enhancing the risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen may also
interact with ginkgo and possibly with at least some of the above herbs to increase the
risk of bleeding. Further, the incidences of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity may be
augmented by acetaminophen when concomitantly used with the potentially hepatotoxic herbs
Echinacea and kava, and with herbs containing salicylate (willow, meadowsweet),
respectively. The concomitant use of opioid analgesics with the sedative herbal
supplements, valerian, kava and chamomile, may lead to increased central nervous system
(CNS) depression. The analgesic effect of opioids may also be inhibited by ginseng. It is
suggested that health-care professionals should be more aware of the potential adverse
interactions between herbal supplements and analgesic drugs, and take appropriate
precautionary measures to avoid their possible occurrences. However, as most of the
interaction information available is based on individual case reports, animal studies and
in vitro data, further research is needed to confirm and assess the clinical significance
of these potential interactions.

GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - A cannabis spray used under the tongue helps to relieve the
suffering of multiple sclerosis patients and people suffering from chronic pain, a British
doctor said Monday.

The spray contains extracts from the drug and allows doctors to control dosage effectively
and measure the effects.

So far the results have been encouraging.

"We are finding it is useful for a lot of patients," Dr. William Notcutt of
James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth in eastern England
told a science conference in Glasgow.

An estimated one person in 12 experience chronic pain.

Notcutt tested the spray, which was developed and supplied by the British company GW
Pharmaceuticals, in patients with experience of cannabis and in others who were not
familiar with the drug.

The spray totally relieved pain in some patients while it helped others get a good night's
sleep, which Notcutt said is a blessed
event for many chronic pain sufferers.

In addition to providing valuable information about the effectiveness of the drug in
easing chronic pain, Notcutt told the British
Association for the Advancement of Science Conference that the study was also providing
data on the best dosage and side effects.

"We need much more basic information on how to use this," he said.

Although the use of cannabis is illegal in most countries, patients with diseases such as
cancer and multiple sclerosis have been
lobbying to use cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Only three patients out of the 23 in the two groups said they received no benefit from the
spray. Side effects included a high
level of euphoria, or "high," panic attacks and fainting.

Notcutt refused to be drawn on whether his research would provide further support to those
seeking to legalese cannabis.

"Our goal has been to return people to an active life," he said, adding that one
patient had returned to work and others had resumed
driving.

GW Pharmaceuticals, set up in 1997, operates under licenses from the British Home Office
(interior ministry) to cultivate, possess and supply cannabis for medical research.

It grows cannabis in secure, computer-controlled glasshouses in southern England. The
plants used in the trials were grown to
maximize the benefits of cannabinoids, the active ingredient in cannabis.

Notcutt said the use of cannabis extracts for pain could pave the way for the drug to be
used for other conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, surgical premedication, epilepsy
and eating disorders.

Peppermint
( Mentha x piperita ), a popular flavoring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, also serves as a
calming agent to soothe an an upset stomach or to aid in digestion. Because it has a
calming and numbing effect, it has been used to treat headaches, skin irritations, anxiety
associated with depression, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, and flatulence. It is also
widely used to treat symptoms of the common cold. These and other conditions for which
peppermint may be beneficial are listed below.

Indigestion
Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body
uses to digest fats. As a result, food passes through the stomach more quickly. It is
important to know, however, if your symptoms of indigestion are related to a condition
called gastoesophageal reflux disease or GERD, peppermint should not be used  see
Precautions.

Flatulence/Bloating
Peppermint relaxes the muscles that allow the body to rid itself of painful digestive gas.

Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A number of studies have shown the beneficial effects of enteric-coated peppermint
capsules for treating symptoms of IBS, such as pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
(Enteric-coated capsules keep the oil from being released in the stomach, which can lead
to heartburn and indigestion.) A recent study comparing enteric-coated peppermint oil
capsules to placebo in children with IBS found that after 2 weeks, 75% of those treated
had reduced symptoms. This is in keeping with an earlier study of adults in which 79% of
participants receiving peppermint experienced a relief in the severity of pain.

Menstrual
Cramps
Peppermint has the potential to influence menstrual periods and, because it relaxes
muscles, may help to relieve painful cramps.

Gallstones
Peppermint oil may help the body break down gallstones.

Viruses
Peppermint oil has exhibited antiviral properties against a number of infectious agents,
including herpes.

Itching
and Skin Irritations
Peppermint, when applied topically, has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations
caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.

Tension
Headache
Research has shown that peppermint applied to the forehead and temples compares favorably
with acetaminophen (a commonly used over the counter medication) in terms of its ability
to reduce headache symptoms.

Colds
and Flu
Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective decongestants. Because
menthol thins mucus, it is also a good expectorant, meaning that it helps loosen and
breaks up coughs with phlegm. It is soothing and calming for sore throats (pharyngitis)
and dry coughs as well.

Peppermint
plants grow to about two feet tall. They bloom from July through August, sprouting tiny
purple flowers in whorls and terminal spikes. Simple, toothed, and fragrant leaves grow
opposite the flowers. Peppermint is native to Europe and Asia, is naturalized to North
America, and grows wild in moist, temperate areas. Some varieties are indigenous to South
Africa, South America, and Australia.

For
digestion and upset stomach: 1 to 2 mL peppermint glycerite per day

Adult

Peppermint
tea soothes an upset stomach and can aid digestion. It can be prepared using the infusion
method of pouring boiling water over the herb and then steeping for 3 to 5 minutes. Use 1
to 2 tsp of dried peppermint leaf to 8 oz of hot water.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Take 1 to 2 coated capsules three times per
day between meals.

Gallstones: Take 1 to 2 enteric-coated capsules three times per day
between meals.

Itching and skin irritations: Apply menthol, the active ingredient in
peppermint, in a cream or ointment form no more than three to four times per day.

Tension
headaches: Using a tincture of 10% peppermint oil to 90% ethanol, lightly coat the
forehead and allow the tincture to evaporate.

The
use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease.
Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with
other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with
care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical
medicine.

Peppermint
tea is generally a safe way to soothe an upset stomach. However, peppermint should not be
used by those with gastoesophageal reflux disease (GERD -- a condition in which stomach
acids back up into the esophagus) even though some of the symptoms include indigestion and
heartburn. This is because peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and
esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. (The sphincter is the
muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach.) By relaxing the sphincter,
peppermint may actually worsen the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.

Pregnant
or nursing mothers should drink peppermint tea only in moderation and those with a history
of miscarriage should not use peppermint at all while pregnant.

Menthol
or peppermint oil applied to the skin can cause contact dermatitis or other type of rash,
including, possibly hives. Some have described hot flashes from the oil. It should be kept
away from the eyes and other mucus membranes and should not be inhaled by or applied to
the face of an infant or small child. Peppermint oil should be diluted and taken in very
small amounts, since it can cause negative reactions such as those listed above, cramping
and diarrhea, as well as, rarely drowsiness, tremor, muscle pain, slowed heart rate, and,
in severe cases of overdose, coma. Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken
internally. It is important not to confuse oil and tincture preparations.

5-Fluorouracil
for Cancer
In an animal study, topical peppermint oil increased the absorption of 5-fluorouracil, a
medication used to treat cancer that was also applied topically. It is too early to draw
conclusions about the applicability of these findings to people. Therefore, it would be
wise to avoid applying peppermint oil topically when using other topical medications for
cancer.

OBJECTIVE:
Peppermint oil is the major constituent of several over-the-counter remedies for symptoms
of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As the etiology of IBS is not known and treatment is
symptomatic, there is a ready market for such products. However, evidence to support their
use is sparse. The aim of this study was to review the clinical trials of extracts of
peppermint (Mentha X piperita L.) as a symptomatic treatment for IBS. METHODS:
Computerized literature searches were performed to identify all randomized controlled
trials of peppermint oil for IBS. Databases included Medline, Embase, Biosis, CISCOM, and
the Cochrane Library. There were no restrictions on the language of publication. Data were
extracted in a standardized, predefined fashion, independently by both authors. Five
double blind, randomized, controlled trials were entered into a metaanalysis. RESULTS:
Eight randomized, controlled trials were located. Collectively they indicate that
peppermint oil could be efficacious for symptom relief in IBS. A metaanalysis of five
placebo-controlled, double blind trials seems to support this notion. In view of the
methodological flaws associated with most studies, no definitive judgment about efficacy
can be given. CONCLUSION: The role of peppermint oil in the symptomatic treatment of IBS
has so far not been established beyond reasonable doubt. Well designed and carefully
executed studies are needed to clarify the issue.

Peppermint
oil and capsules have not been studied as extensively as other treatments for I.B.S. We
will list what we learn in order to help you make an informed decision on your own health
care. The information offered below is a combination of study items and antedotal
information.

April
13, 2007  Peppermint oil is effective in treating digestive disorders and other
conditions including headaches, although high dosages may cause adverse effects, according
to the results of a review reported in the April 1 issue of American Family Physician.

"The
medicinal use of peppermint and other mint plants probably dates back to the herbal
pharmacopoeia of ancient Greece, where peppermint leaf traditionally was used internally
as a digestive aid and for management of gallbladder disease; it also was used in inhaled
form for upper respiratory symptoms and cough," write Benjamin Kligler, MD, MPH, from
the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York, and Sapna
Chaudhary, DO, from the Beth Israel Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York.
"Peppermint oil, which is extracted from the stem, leaves, and flowers of the plant,
has become popular as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS), headache, and non-ulcer dyspepsia."

Specific
applications of note are as follows:

Peppermint leaf and oil have a long history of use for digestive
disorders.

Peppermint oil has relaxant effects on smooth muscle. When given via
enema, it has been shown to be modestly effective in relieving colonic spasm in patients
undergoing barium enemas (evidence rating, B).

Although
peppermint oil is well tolerated at the commonly recommended dosage, it may cause
significant adverse effects at higher dosages. Common adverse effects include allergic
reactions, heartburn, perianal burning, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. Interstitial
nephritis and acute renal failure are rare.

Because
peppermint oil may inhibit the cytochrome P450 1A2 system, it may interact with drugs
metabolized via this system.

Peppermint
oil is contraindicated in patients with hiatal hernia, severe gastroesophageal reflux, and
gallbladder disorders and should be used with caution in pregnant and lactating women.

The
recommended dosage is 0.2 to 0.4 mL of peppermint oil 3 times daily in enteric-coated
capsules for adults, and 0.1 to 0.2 mL of peppermint oil 3 times daily for children older
than 8 years.

Cost
is approximately $24 to $32 for a 1-month supply.

"Peppermint
oil should not be used internally or on or near the face in infants and young children
because of its potential to cause bronchospasm, tongue spasms, and, possibly, respiratory
arrest," the authors conclude. "However, the amount of peppermint in
over-the-counter medications, topical preparations, and herbal teas is likely safe in
pregnant and lactating women and in young children."

The
authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Am
Fam Physician. 2007;75:1027-1030.

Clinical Context

Peppermint
has been used as a medicinal substance for thousands of years. Most modern preparations of
peppermint use its oil, which usually is provided with an enteric coating to prevent
gastroesophageal reflux. This oil contains menthol, menthone, cineol, and other oils, and
there is evidence that this combination of compounds can relax gastrointestinal smooth
muscle as well as lower esophageal sphincter pressure.

Peppermint
oil has been used to treat not only gastrointestinal complaints but also headache. The
current article reviews the efficacy and safety of peppermint oil for these indications.

Study Highlights

Peppermint oil appears to be mildly effective in reducing symptoms of
IBS, particularly flatulence, abdominal pain, and distension, in adults. However, there
has been significant heterogeneity among research into this subject.

A study of children between the ages of 8 and 17 years who had IBS
found that peppermint oil was more effective than placebo in reducing the severity of
abdominal pain.

2 trials have demonstrated that treatment with peppermint oil reduced
the risk for gastrointestinal spasm during barium enema, with peppermint associated with
up to a 3-fold increase vs placebo in the rate of having a procedure free of spasm.

The combination of 90 mg of peppermint oil plus 50 mg of caraway oil
has been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of nonulcer dyspepsia, including fullness,
bloating, and spasm. This combination should be used cautiously for patients with
dyspepsia, as peppermint oil may promote gastroesophageal reflux.

2 studies have delineated the efficacy of topical peppermint oil in
tension headache. In 1 study, a combination of peppermint and ethanol was superior to
placebo in terms of analgesia. Another trial demonstrated that topical peppermint oil was
similar to acetaminophen in terms of treatment efficacy.

The therapeutic dosage in most trials of peppermint oil and IBS was
0.2 to 0.4 mL taken 3 times daily in enteric-coated capsules. The 1 trial examining its
use for childhood IBS used a dosage of 0.1 mL of peppermint oil 3 times daily for children
weighing less than 45 kg.

Peppermint oil can be toxic in overdose, leading to interstitial
nephritis and acute renal failure. Because it may promote gallstone formation, it should
not be used in patients with cholelithiasis or cholecystitis. Peppermint oil also may
trigger menstruation and should not be used during pregnancy.

Pearls for Practice

Peppermint oil contains menthol, menthone, and cineol and may work by
relaxing smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint oil also may reduce lower
esophageal sphincter pressure and therefore usually is supplied with enteric coating.

Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to conduct a Phase I investigation examining the
feasibility and acceptability of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) package
combining acupuncture and hypnosis for chronic pediatric pain. Thirty-three sequentially
referred children (21 girls) aged 618 years were offered 6 weekly sessions
consisting of individually tailored acupuncture treatment together with a 20-minute
hypnosis session (conducted while the needles were in place). Parent and child ratings of
pain and pain-related interferences in functioning, as well as child ratings of anxiety
and depression, were obtained at pre- and post-treatment. The treatment was highly
acceptable (only 2 patients refused; = 90% completed treatment) and there were no adverse
effects. Both parents and children reported significant improvements in children's pain
and interference following treatment. Children's anticipatory anxiety declined
significantly across treatment sessions. Our results support the feasibility and
acceptability of a combined acupuncture/hypnosis intervention for chronic pediatric pain.

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